MINOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 135 
Undoubtedly this island was constantly raided, and this fact probably accounts for 
the small production of fur. The last time the company secured any skins from Whale 
Island was about three years ago, when two hunters were sent from Kodiak with instruc- 
tions to shoot or trap all the foxes possible. At this time only 3 pelts were obtained, 
but the hunters reported finding no less than 13 carcasses of young foxes in steel traps. 
Thecompany did not use steel traps, so those discovered must have been set by poachers. 
Also, the fact that the traps were put out in a season when young foxes would be caught 
isconclusive evidence that an attempt was being made to secure live animals for breed- 
ing stock, for the furs taken at this time of year would have been worthless. 
Marmot Istanp.—We have no information that blue foxes were ever placed on this 
island; but at some time during the period of operations of the Semidi Propagating Co. 
black foxes were introduced. The venture, however, was not a success, and Marmot 
Island was abandoned by the company some years ago. 
While the Semidi Propagating Co. has been an important factor in the development 
of fur farming in Alaska, to the extent that their experience has been of value to others 
who have attempted this business, still their operations from the standpoint of an 
investor have not been a success. Little was known of the best methods to follow 
when this company first undertook the raising of foxes, and naturally many mistakes 
were made. The prices of blue-fox skins during the years of their greatest production 
were but a small fraction of their present values, so returns, even in the best seasons, 
were small. Operating costs were also very high; much expensive food, such as corn 
meal, was fed, and several of the islands being situated so far from the base of supplies 
made the cost of transportation quite excessive. The only islands upon which the 
company now have foxes are Ukamok, North Semidi, and South Semidi, and the num- 
bers have been so reduced on these that it will be several years before any quantity 
of furs can be taken. 
Of a number of cattle which the Semidi Propagating Co. introduced on several of 
their islands, some are still to be found on Whale and Ukamok Islands. 
Following we give a list, by years, of the blue-fox skins produced by the various 
islands operated by this company from 1890 to 1914, both years inclusive. We are 
unable to give the figures from each ranch separately, but the list includes all fox 
skins taken from the islands mentioned above, with the exception, of course, of 
Marmot Island: 
Number. Number. Number. 
SOO see Aes se TOL OOO Soke tee Abt oe. SOOKMLOOO estes ta os 145 
PASS ASt ASS itas So) AOOUENGOM SEs es one iets STO) LOMO. 22 heii ced 15 
UE eee GFL OO 2 a2 acs poe SOs WL OM era ard sce esto eayeme None 
(U8) 3 eee See wees AGP LOOS See eee ee ea TASS as LP Ae 3 
IE oe ee V5 | OUA RE ee oc oes AS LOU Ste ae cess 85 
ie. dee ere S| LOO ae es a Sec ere ese 44] HOA: Wee tema We race 73 
DBD as ae ae 1663| MOOG Mee ers se es 261 a 31 
TYEE oe ee G5: | sl SO freemen. 2 cess a's 310 
eS pe Coie $5152 /3 BAVC EQOS ae beste sheer ce 74 Totalcaat in facsy 5, 101 
LS Se eee 243 
a Live foxes. 
In addition to the above there were at least 200 pairs of live foxes sold for breeding 
stock, so the total number of animals taken from these islands is not less than 5,501. 
FOX FARMS IN THE COPPER RIVER DISTRICT. 
The Bureau has obtained a record of a considerable number of 
persons who are interested in the fox business in this region. It is 
apparent that in many cases the operations are carried on not pri- 
