MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 115 
FUR-FARMING POSSIBILITIES IN SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA. 
From a report submitted by Inspector Walker the following infor- 
mation in regard to certain observations on the possibilities in fur 
farming in southeastern Alaska is extracted: 
Due perhaps to the smaller prices received for furs, especially for fox pelts in the 
past two or three years, active interest in fur farming in this region has suffered a 
decline, but this certainly is only a temporary lessening of interest, and it is believed 
that in time this line of activity will be one of the important industries of the district. 
There is no satisfactory information at hand as to all the fur farms operating in the 
region; indeed, most of them can scarcely be termed fur farms as yet, there being in 
some cases but one or two animals in restricted and improper quarters. In the Chilkat 
Valley some attention has been given to fox farming, the attempts being made by 
taking the young from the dens in the spring. There have resulted several small 
undertakings of this sort, some of which seem to be promising. A few other animals, 
minks and perhaps some martens, are also keptin the valley. Itisfelt that the Chilkat 
Valley will some day become the “ Prince Edward Island”’ of the North Pacific, as it 
possesses unusual natural advantages for fur farming, especially fox raising. Some 
of these advantages are: A climate approaching that of an interior country in that it 
is clear and cold in winter and warm and dry in summer; the rainfall is the smallest 
of any portion of southeastern Alaska; there is an easily accessible food supply as the 
fish are, or should be, abundant in the Chilkat River, which flows through the valley; 
there is perfect drainage by reason of the sandy soil; large and permanent pens may 
easily be constructed because the sandy soil is underlaid at an average depth of about 
3 feet by a hard subsoil of clay, through which foxes could scarcely dig out under 
the fences; the valley is easy of access in both summer and winter; it is the natural 
home of the fox and in a region in which melanism is prevalent, thus producing a 
considerable percentage of dark individuals even from red parents. 
In addition to the fox farms in the Chilkat Valley it is understood that an attempt 
is being made to introduce red stock on Sokoi Island, near Petersburg. This island 
was formerly held for use as a blue-fox ranch. In this connection it is believed that 
the red-fox species will not prove profitable on the islands of this region as they are 
not native to such climatic conditions as prevail in the way of excessive rainfall 
and wet underbrush and moss. Also it is believed that the effect of the salt-water 
atmosphere, which coarsens the fur and makes it less brilliant, will be experienced, 
thus reducing the value of the skins even though the animals should thrive, which 
is greatly doubted. A blue-fox ranch on Sumdum Island is conducted by James York 
with apparent success. The number of foxes on this island can scarcely be guessed 
at as they live in practically a wild state. This is the only island fox ranch in the 
district as yet upon a stable footing. ; 
The food supply available on the islands suitable for fur farming in southeastern 
Alaska is almost unlimited, and the breeding of otters, minks, and martens will cer- 
tainly be undertaken in the future by numerous parties. The business if properly 
handled will undoubtedly prove to be profitable. 
It is believed that whenever a fur farm has reached an established status it should 
be as free from restrictions and regulations as the cattle and stock ranches in the same 
region would be in respect both to the killing and to the exportation of the animals, 
for they are certainly as much domestic stock as are the cattle and horses raised by 
man. 
At present the difficulty of obtaining title to land within the national forest deters 
many from attempting elaborate undertakings. There should be some provision 
by which persons could secure an entire small island for fur farming so that they would 
not be compelled to fence to retain the animals on their own grounds. 
