MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 61 



Otto Kraft & Son, of Kodiak, have continued their farm on Svitlak 

 and Middle Islands, Kalsin Bay, about 15 miles from Kodiak. The 

 firm began its operations in 1916 wath animals born that year, and 

 the year 1917 was necessarily one for carrying along the work and 

 awaiting definite results. Fresh and diied fish are used for food; 

 also salted salmon heads, the salt being all soaked out before the 

 material is used. 



Alex. Friedolin, of Afognak, has a fox farm on Hog Island, which 

 is in Marmot Bay and from 3 to 4 miles from Afognak village. In 

 November, 1917, Mr. Friedolin reported that his breeding stock con- 

 sisted of four pairs of blue foxes. There are no corrals on the island, 

 the foxes being allowed to run at large. The foxes are fed, at least 

 in the winter, and one small building is used for the purpose of keeping 

 food where they may go and help themselves. 



Some few years ago Mr. Friedolin turned loose on Hog Island 

 14 field mice, hoping that they would multiply and furnish food for 

 foxes. It is reported that the mice have increased wonderfully, that 

 the island is ahve with them, and that their food requirements have 

 noticeably aft'ected the vegetation growing there. It has been noted 

 that the foxes dig for the mice here and there, and probably catch 

 them in the open, but without any appreciable effect upon their 

 numbers. 



John Tashwak, of Afognak, continued his efforts on a small island 

 near Afognak Island. The foxes are allowed to run at large and 

 some have escaped by swimming to Afognak Island. 



Peter J. Petrovsky, of Uyak, continued operations on Amook 

 Island. A number of foxes have been Ivept in corrals or pens and a 

 few young from these were reared in 1917. Difficulty was experi- 

 enced in that a number of young were killed by their parents. The 

 owner also had some foxes at large on Amook Island. 



Frank Peterson, of Uyak, has a fur farm at Ayakulik River, west 

 coast of Kodiak Island. From reports received from him it appears 

 that he is making experiments with foxes in corrals built on the 

 mainland of Kodiak Island, obtaining part or all of the animals from 

 stock belonging to him and running at large on an island near the 

 mouth of Avakulik River. 



A firm of' which J. G. Carson, of Katalla, is a member has a fox 

 farm on Wingham Island. A report made by Mr. Carson early in 

 February, 1918, stated that the breeding stock consisted of six pairs 

 of foxes, silvers and crosses. In 1917 six young were raised from 

 two females, both bred to the same male. All that were born in these 

 two litters were raised. Trouble was experienced at this farm in 

 1916 and again in 1917 on account of foxes dying. One of the mem- 

 bers of the firm thought that the fataUties were due to the feeding 

 of dried smoked salmon, the creosote being harmful. At the time 

 the report referred to above was written the use of dried salmon had 

 been stopped. Foods in use were hair-seal meat, Belgian hares, 

 fresh fish, canned salmon (light weights), fresh beef, eggs, Spratt's 

 dog biscuits, and bread. 



For a number of years the firm also kept martens at this farm 

 endeavoring to propagate them. Owing to difficulties encountered 

 in impenning them they were finally removed from the island in 

 July, 1917. 



