126 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 
raising wild animals for fur, and these have usually ceased while the 
animals were still wild. The fur crop has been expected at once and 
has usually been the sole object of the experiment.................. 
PROMISING SPECIES 
In spite of numerous failures there is no reason to doubt the en- 
tire practicability of successfully breeding in captivity almost any 
species of fur-bearing mammal. In most cases it will take consider- 
able time to bring about the complete domestication and adaptation de- 
sirable; but the object is of ample importance to warrant the necessary 
expenditure of time and money. It is not necessary nor advisable to 
start on a large scale, as the requirements of each species must be studied 
and worked out slowly. 
In selecting species for breeding purposes the first important con- 
sideration should be to secure a permanently valuable fur. The fancy 
prices paid for sea otter and black and silver foxes, reaching $1,000 
and even $2,000 for some choice skins, are based in part on the rarity 
of these animals, and would not be maintained if a large supply be- 
came available. Still these skins will doubtless always be among 
the most valuable. Owing to their pelagic habits, however, the sea 
otter and fur seal need not be considered in the present connection. 
The fur of each species varies greatly in colour, quality, and value 
in different parts of its range. The choicest natural strains should, if 
possible, be selected to start with; but these can doubtless be bred into 
later if a domestic breed be established. 
The North American species promising most valuable results in fur 
culture are as follows, in sequence of greater permanent fur value: (1) 
black and silver foxes; (2) blue or arctic fox; (8) otter; (4) marten, 
or American sable; (5) beaver; (6) mink; (7) fisher. Cheaper kinds 
of fur, such as skunk, muskrat, raccoon and opossum, may under special 
conditions yield paying returns, but need not be considered at present. 
Many exotic mammals are worthy of consideration, but in general they 
do not offer any advantages over our native species and have the dis- 
advantage of not being acclimated. 
BLACK AND SILVER FOXES 
The black and the silver foxes are merely melanistic and partially 
melanistic individuals of the red fox. Both owe their value in part 
to their rarity; but it will be long before artificial production will 
seriously affect the price, In habits and requirements they are iden- 
