122 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1915. 
of the production, then the natural inclination will be to capitalize such ventures with 
some degree of moderation. In the meantime, of course, those companies which 
have been capitalized at such excessive amounts will naturally feel keenly the effect 
of a materially reduced earning power. Undoubtedly a live fox of known pedigree 
and breeding qualities is worth considerably more than his pelt would bring in the 
market; still, there should not be such a vast difference between the fur value and the 
value of the live animal as has existed during the past few years. Such excessive val- 
ues, necessitating overcapitalization, tend to detract from the stability of the industry 
at large, and it is hoped that in Alaska the inclination will be not to fall into this error, 
but to hold the price of breeding stock down to something like the pelt value. 
Alaska seems to offer particular advantages for the business of fox propagation, and 
the fact that it can be undertaken here with so much less capital than is required else- 
where should be a strong factor in building up this remunerative industry. 
Recorps.—In order to attain the points desirable in ranch-bred foxes, most careful 
attention must be given the recording of the animals, and in such a way that pedi- 
grees can be easily and accurately traced. We are working on the theory that, by 
selective breeding, these qualities can be achieved, and the record forms we are using 
for this purpose seem to meet our requirements in this respect. On page 121 we illus- 
trate the forms used for our Fox Register and Breeding Record. 
The Prince Edward Island fox ranchers have organized a breeders’ association 
through which black foxes, under certain restrictions, will be registered, and all 
foxes so recorded are branded by indelible tattoo marks in one ear. The branding 
is probably necessary where so many owners are represented on the register; but in 
our case, where only our own animals are to be recorded, we think the plan we have 
adopted for keeping track of the various breeding foxes is adequate for all purposes. 
All our breeding corrals are numbered, and a note is made on the Breeding Record 
of the register number of each fox placed in the corral. In case a pair is changed 
from one corral to another, this fact is noted; and in the event that for any reason the 
mates are changed, a new Breeding Record is opened. No attempt is made to register 
the pups until they are sufficiently mature to enable us to choose intelligently those 
which are best suited for breeding purposes. The breeders are then registered, and 
those selected for fur are entered in the Fur Record in proper time. 
When the pups are taken away from the mothers each litter is placed in a sepa- 
rate rearing pen. These pens are also numbered and a record of this number is 
noted on the Breeding Record. With this method there is no chance of getting the 
foxes mixed in any way, and the necessity of relying upon tags or brands is entirely 
obviated. 
In the Fur Record is entered a complete description of each skin taken from the 
ranch. It further shows the market fluctuations, as determined by the London sales 
and others, and thus serves as a guide in placing valuations on furs. 
A further record is kept which is called the Ranch Log. In this the keeper 
records memoranda of daily occurrences on the ranch, making special note of charac- 
istics of foxes, habits, kind and quantity of food given, étc. A copy of this log is kept 
in the office for reference and it is found of great value in many ways. This book 
makes very interesting reading for one in any way connected with the raising of foxes 
and really furnishes a continuous narrative of the daily operations of the ranch. 
The principal points at which we aim in our breeding operations are color, texture 
of fur, size, disposition, and prolificacy. By carefully maintaining the records de- 
scribed above, we believe our efforts along these lines will be greatly facilitated. 
Frepinc.—The proper feeding of foxes is, of course, one of the most important 
matters to be considered in this business. We have tried many experiments along 
these lines, and are convinced that fish can safely be made the chief item of diet. 
