68 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1919. 



by Mr. Shular, this farm was reputed to be the most successful one in 

 Alaska handling black and silver foxes. 



O. Kraft & Son discontinued their fox-raising business on two 

 small islands in Kalsin Bay, Kodiak Island, and removed all animals 

 therefrom in the winter of 1918-19. The islands were much too small 

 and were surrounded by reefs, to which the foxes would go at low 

 water and not return before the flood tide cut them off from the island. 

 When forced to swim, some of them left for the mainland of Kodiak 

 and thus escaped. 



Alex Friedolin continued operations on Hog Island, which he had 

 stocked with blue foxes. No young animals were seen in 1919, and 

 Mr. Friedolin thinks that the introduction of two strange males 

 disturbed the other foxes and possibly caused the young to be killed. 

 But one pelt was taken. Three pairs of breeders have been retained. 



In May, 1919, Lars Hansen placed four pairs of blue foxes on Chank- 

 liut Island, near the entrance to Chignik, v/here he had the year 

 before planted mice to supply food for the foxes. Oiie litter of young 

 was born in 1919, but as the foxes run at lai'ge he does not know how 

 many there were. 



A. F. Piper, of Seldovia, reports that he has started a skunk farm 

 with eight animals which were shipped from the States. 



Peter Petrovsky continued operations on Amook Island. Part of 

 his foxes are kept in corrals and others run at large on the island. 

 No young foxes were raised in the corrals in 1919. In all, 16 foxes 

 were killed for their pelts. 



Rufus D. Blakely, of Ketchikan, reported further on his fur- 

 farming operations on Bold Island. Beavers have been established 

 in the lake in addition to the muskrats and appear to find a plentiful 

 supply of food. Plans for stocking the island with foxes and marten 

 are in abeyance. 



Harry D. Colp reported that he has established a fur farm on 

 Kupreanof Island near Petersbm-g. He has five pairs of silver 

 foxes in corrals, one of which raised three pups in the spring of 1919. 

 A varied diet is given the foxes, consisting of fish, several kinds of 

 meats, rice, dog biscuits, and green stuff. Mr. Colp states that he 

 does not expect to market any furs for some time as he wishes to in- 

 crease his stock. He considers the possibilities of the business good. 



C. E. Zimmerman is using the Brothers Islands in southeast 

 Alaska for the propagation of raccoons and skunks. These islands 

 were similarly used about six years ago, and it is Mr. Zimmerman's 

 belief that some of the original stock still remains. He placed 

 additional animals on the islands in the fall of 1919. 



A. C. Smith, of Haines, reports that he has five silver-gray and 

 one cross fox. No pups were born in 1919. One pair of silvers 

 died as the result of fighting. 



Aug. Wenzel continued operations on a ranch 32 miles below 

 Fairbanks on the Tanana River. He reports having seven pairs of 

 silvers and three pairs of crosses. But one pup was produced and 

 raised this year. A total of three silver, four red, and four cross 

 pelts were sold in the spring of 1919. Mr. Wenzel says that his 

 foxes are tame and healthy. The food given is principally fish, 

 cooked in summer and dried in winter. The rabbits are said to be 

 coming back, and will thus furnish needed fresh meat. 



W. H. Newton, of Healy River, reported that there was no in- 

 crease in 1919 from his stock of four pairs of foxes; this possibly 



