MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 69 



was due to disturbance incident to clearing off timber near their 

 quarters. Four of the animals were killed to cover expenses and 

 two pairs were retained for stock. He feeds fish and vegetables 

 with the addition of fat scraps. 



L. G. Michael reports excellent results at his ranch near Franklin. 

 At the beginning of 1919 he had 7 pairs of breeders, 2 silver and 5 

 cross males, and 4 red and 3 cross females; 17 pups were born, of 

 which all but 1 were raised. He is retaining a stock of nine pairs 

 of breeders. Mr. Michael writes that he feeds the young foxes 

 plenty of canned milk, diluted 1 part milk and 2 parts water, with 

 a little sugar added, about a tables])oonful to a quart. The adult 

 foxes are fed fresh meat almost entirely. Although the foxes are 

 all large animals they are confined in corrals. Mr. Michael says 

 that the future for fox farming has never looked better. 



A number of fur farmers mention the great number of gulls and 

 other sea birds, and object to the prohibition against killing such 

 birds for food for their animals. 



LEASING OF ISLANDS. 



The Department of Commerce has jurisdiction over 12 islands in 

 central Alaska which are leasable, or have been leased to the highest 

 bidder. These islands and their locations are as follows: 



Chirikof Southwest of Kodiak Island. 



Long Near Kodiak Island. 



Marmot East of Afognak Island. 



Little Koniuji Shumagin Group. 



Simeonof Do. 



Little Naked One of Naked Islands, Prince William Sound. 



Carlson (Grafton) Prince William Sound. 



Middleton Gulf of Alaska. 



Pearl One of Chugach Islands. 



Elizabeth Do. 



Aghiyuk One of Semidi Islands. 



Chowiet Do. 



Pearl Ishmd was leased to I. 1). Nordyke in 1917, but the annual 

 rental has not been paid since that year. The lease has therefore 

 been forfeited and the island is again available for lease to the 

 highest bidder. 



The islands named below were imder lease on December 31, 1919: 



CMrilcof Island, southwest of Kodiak Island. — This island was 

 leased on July 1, 1919, to Karl Armstrong, of Kodiak. It had 

 previously been used by the Semidi Propagating Co., but was 

 abandoned a few years ago. Mr. Armstrong reported that on 

 taking possession of the island there were found signs of a number 

 of foxes and for that reason he will put no new stock on the island 

 until after the present trapping season, when he will be able to 

 judge what is needed for the future. 



