— 
52 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 
fox will become even more fashionable than at present and that the 
demand will thus be increased, but no one can forecast definitely what 
fashion will do. It should also be noted that the Russian sable, chin- 
chilla, sea-otter and seal will be off the market for several years and, on 
this account, an increased demand for the fur of the silver fox may be 
created. 
The imitation of silver fox is also impossible because of the colours 
of the silver-banded black overhairs. The nearest imitation is the 
German-dyed pointed fox, made from a common red fox dyed black, 
which has white hairs from the badger or other animals sewed into it or 
fastened in by adhesives. It is easily distinguished from the silver 
fox fur and is not favoured except as a medium-priced article. It is 
not nearly as beautiful as silver fox. The silver band in a genuine 
skin is not white, but silvery, and the whole skin possesses a gloss 
not equalled by a dyed product. The dyeing process, also, has the dis- 
advantage of rendering the fur less durable. 
With regard to the statement that much of the stock is of poor 
quality and low-priced, it must be admitted that this is true. While 
statistics of the low prices obtained for pelts obviously could not be 
secured, it is quite probable that at least 30 per cent. of the silver 
foxes would bring a price of from $50 to $500. At the present quo- 
tations, probably another 30 per cent. would be priced between $500 
and $1,000 and the other 40 per cent. would bring from $1,000 to 
$4,000 each. The ability to recognize a cheap grade of fur instantly is 
essential in the present state of the business as traders represent a 
silver fox as such regardless of quality; and, usually, only ashort and 
distant examination of the animal is possible. Besides, the sales are 
made at a season when the fur is not in prime condition to pass judg- 
ment on. 
If wild foxes do not decrease when a country is settled, it is not 
recorded that they increase. The number in unsettled regions, how- 
ever, is diminishing. 
Profits in the industry so far have been large, but, except from the 
point of view of the individual, the dividend on the money invested is 
not the main consideration. From the social and economic viewpoint, 
the discovery of how to breed high-grade foxes is what is important. 
It is akin to an invention; but, as it cannot be patented, the neighbours 
of the inventors have become the promoters of a new method of pro- 
ducing a marketable commodity. No huge factories can be built 
in a few months to manufacture the article to the limit of demand; 
only the natural law of increase of foxes which is not much over 100 
