MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS, 133 
EARLY FOX FARMING IN THIS REGION. 
The following account of earlier fox-farming operations in the Kodiak- 
Afognak region, included in Mr. Erskine’s report of the Kodiak Fox: 
Farm, is of so much interest that its publication seems desirable. 
Remarks under this head will refer to a history of fox farming in the vicinity of 
Kodiak and Afognak Islands. Information has been gathered from those old-time 
residents in this section who have had to do with the fox ranches, and reference has 
been made to the chapter touching this subject as contained in Bureau of Fisheries 
document no. 797. While we believe the following information is fairly correct, 
especially as regards essential points, still we must reserve the right to rectify any 
inaccuracies that might occur. Consideration must be given the fact that the Semidi 
Propagating Co. was probably the only concern that kept any kind of record regarding 
fox-breeding operations, so we are of necessity forced to rely to a large extent upon 
the memories of those now residing in Kodiak and who are familiar with the subject. 
The earliest reliable record we have of fox farming in this vicinity was on Long 
Island, the island now occupied by the Kodiak Fox Farm. This island was first 
taken up by Capt. F. F. Feeney in 1880, and two pairs of black foxes were placed 
on it, the animals having been secured from Knik, Cook Iniet. A few sheep and 
some cattle were also introduced; a dwelling and several outbuildings were con- 
structed, and farming in the way of raising garden truck and hay was done. During 
the winter of 1881-82 the natives raided the island and killed off all the foxes, some 
12 or 14, and no further attempt was made to raise foxes for some years. The island 
was still maintained, however, as a stock ranch. In 1889 Capt. Feeney secured two 
pairs of Kodiak black foxes with which he again stocked Long Island, and in 1895 he 
sold the ranch, together with all stock, to the Semidi Propagating Co. for the sum of 
$8,000. The stock at this time consisted of 8 black foxes, 45 head of cattle, anda 
number of sheep. The number of fox skins produced from 1889 until the island was 
sold is not known, but there could not have been many. The native hunters were 
inclined to poach on the ranch and their raids kept the stock of foxes down to a mini- 
mum. The operations on Long Island under the management of the Semidi Propa- 
gating Co. will be taken up elsewhere in this report. 
Fox farming to a limited extent was probably carried on by the Russians before the 
American occupation, although reliable information on this matter is lacking. We 
doubt if any intensive efforts were exerted along these lines; but it is possible some 
black foxes were introduced from the Cook Inlet country and liberated on a few of 
the islands in the vicinity of Kodiak. Reports to this effect are current, but if such 
was the case, the animals were most likely killed off many years ago, and probably 
before the Americans took possession of the Territory. 
Semipi Propacatinc Co.—The Semidi Propagating Co., a corporation, was the 
first large concern to undertake the raising of foxesin Alaska. Aside from their opera- 
tions in Alaska, this concern purchased an island on the Maine coast and stocked it 
with blue foxes. This venture, however, was not a success. Their chief efforts 
were exerted in Alaska, and at different times they stocked North Semidi, South 
Semidi, Ukamok (Cherikoff), Long, Whale, and Marmot Islands. We will take up 
the operations on each of these islands as follows: 
Nort Semipi Istanp.—This was the first attempt on the part of the Semidi Propa- 
gating Co. to stock a fox ranch, and in 1885 some 8 or 10 pairs of blue foxes were liber- 
ated on this island. Additional stock was placed on the island on several different 
occasions, and in a very few years this ranch proved quite productive. In 1907 the 
stock had become so reduced that no killing was done by the company for several years, 
