104 CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME. 



It was uot until success was obtained in breeding the silver and 

 other color phases of the fox that fur farming was undertaken along 

 extensive lines. Of course, as the price of furs has steadily increased 

 the incentive to rear fur-bearers in captivity has been augmented. The 

 pioneer fox breeders have acquired wealth in their biLsiness and have, 

 therefore, inspired in others the desire to enter the same business. 

 As a result of the demand for breeding stock, the price of animals has 

 increased to such an extent that it is beyond the means of the average 

 man. Consequently corporations and partnerships involving a capital- 

 ization of as high as ten million dollars, have been formed for farming 

 the silver fox. The industry has even spread to Russia, M-here the sable 

 and several species of fox are now extensively farmed. 



The success of fox farming has also brought about the attempt to 

 breed in captivity some of the less valuable fur-bearers, such as the mink, 

 raccoon, and skunk. Of late years the value of skunk fur has steadily 

 increased until now the sale of that fur brings into the United States 

 about three million dollars each year. The numbers sold in London 

 .iumi)ed from 426.610 in 1899 to over 2,000,000 in 1911. Prime skins 

 at the present time bring from $1.50 to $3.50. It is believed that the 

 ])rices will increase rather than decrease. 



The 1915 price list from Funston Brothers & Company, a large fur 

 house in St. Louis, shows that the prices paid for the more valuable 

 furs have been greatly reduced. The prices paid for black and silver 

 fox skins were $800 to $1,000 in 1914, but are only $400 to $600 in 

 1915. The prices for mink, fisher, marten and coyote skins have been 

 i-edueed about one half. This marked reduction is attributed to the 

 war and will, no doubt, be for a limited time only. When the war is 

 over and the European markets again open there will doubtless follow 

 just as sudden an increase in prices. 



There seems to be little danger that the fur-farming industry will 

 fail to be a permanent one. Not only is fur farming an attractive and 

 interesting occupation but it will continue to be remunerative. In 

 spite of the past year, when the period of financial stringency would 

 naturally react most seriously on such a luxury as furs, the price of 

 furs has increased instead of decreased. This has been also in spite of 

 the fact that, in 1913, two or three firms in Leipsic, Germany, failed 

 and threw upon the market at reduced prices $4,000,000 worth of furs. 

 Mr. J. Walter Jones, who has carefully investigated the fur-farming 

 industry in Canada, reports that there are not more than 1,600 silver 

 foxes in captivity in the world. Probably the world's yearlv produc- 

 tion of real silver fox skins does not exceed five thousand. Fur dealers 

 maintain that silver fox skins will never sell for less than $100 each, 

 and since the rate of increase of silver foxes in captivity is only about 

 one hundred per cent yearly, it appears that at least the farming of 

 foxes will continue to be profitable. Another reason why fur farming 

 will doubtless continue to be profitable is because a better grade of fur 

 is obtained. Ranch bred stock are animals improved by domestication, 

 and being killed carefully and at exactly the right time, the fur is prime 

 and the skins are never torn or injured. 



The United States Biological Survey is now carrying on experiments 

 in breeding fur-l)earers. Two stations are maintained, one at Prichard, 

 Idaho, and the other at the National Zoological Park, in Washington, 



