FUR-FARMING IN CANADA 53 
per cent. per annum can be utilized. Thus, it will be several years 
before the supply will meet the demand, as it is sure to do eventually. 
If the investing public can be made to believe that future profits are 
assured, it is human nature to ask as large a premium on the shares 
of fox-ranching companies as can be obtained. 
The stories of the predilection of the nobility of Russia and of 
other countries for expensive furs like silver fox, sea-otter and sable 
are mostly drawn from the imagination. The current story that gold 
is tipped on silver fox overhair was unknown to any of the furriers 
interviewed, some of whom have been purchasing furs in Europe and 
America for many years. The story of the Royal Russian furs is 
doubtless derived from the fact that certain sable and other costly 
furs were formerly given as tribute to royalty. Ermine happens to be 
a royal fur and is demanded at coronations and great court ceremonies, 
yet it is stated that much of the so-called ermine at the coronation of 
King George V was really rabbit. The best customers of silver fox 
will be fashionable ladies who will use it in trimmings, stoles and muffs. 
Because of the removal of foxes to new ranches in 
Number of Foxes September, October and November while this inves- 
in Captivity ae : 
tigation was proceeding, no very exact data could be 
procured regarding the number of silver foxes. The following is an 
estimate of the number in captivity in each province in October, 1912: 
Foxes IN CAPTIVITY IN CANADA IN 1912 
Bastard No. of 
Silver Cross and Red Ranches 
120 Job JIG sii Beet cans miceetrs cies 650 150 1,000 200 
INOWaRSCOLIS weit akin s 2 suda seca eis ore 32 30 150 13 
INewrbrunswickys.. och + sc. cfecer 30 10 50 8 
ieee teas ils bic bicis emt oles « 40 10 50 6 
@ntariow. +...) 4; MER Sh erapievbse. a) cYomows oar 30 40 150 14 
Other provinces and territories... .. 18 10 50 oe 
AIO cis Cache ee aan ERR ace Ia 800 250 1,450 241 
The silver fox industry is centred about the following points: Al- 
berton, Summerside, Charlottetown and Montague in Prince Edward 
Island; Port Elgin in New Brunswick; Piastre Bay on the north shore 
of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec city in Quebec, and Wyoming in On- 
tario. The number of silver foxes within driving distance of each point 
is approximately as follows: Alberton, 300; Summerside, 200; Char- 
lottetown, 100; Montague, 25; Port Elgin, N.B., 25; Quebec city, 20; 
