FOXES AND FOX-FAKMING 231 



and the drying should not be hastened by ex- 

 posure to the sun or artificial heat. 



Expectation of profit. Every silver-fox 

 raised is likely to yield a pelt having a market 

 value of over $100. Even pale skins bring this 

 figure, and darker ones much more. Pure black 

 skins command prices ranging from $500 to 

 $2,000. It is, therefore, evident that a moder- 

 ate income may be derived by raising compara- 

 tively few foxes. In the present stage of the 

 business the sale of foxes for breeding-stock is 

 very profitable, as the live animals in good con- 

 dition often bring fully twice as much as their 

 cured skins. In fact, good, live, silver foxes 

 seldom can be obtained for less than $500 per 

 pair, and much higher prices have been paid. 



The high prices paid for silver-fox skins are 

 due to the rarity of the animals, and the ex- 

 tensive production of such skins would neces- 

 sarily tend to a reduction in price. Increasing 

 population and wealth, however, insure a large 

 future demand for fine furs, and no great de- 

 crease in prices is likely to occur until produc- 

 tion reaches large proportions. 



