2 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



bited in the breeding of fur-bearers, particularly in Prince Edward 

 Island, has advanced prices there above those obtained in any other 

 part of the world. Canada and the United States are being searched 

 for fur-bearers for shipment to Prince Edward Island ranches. Fox 

 companies incorporated elsewhere esrt;ablish their ranches there where 

 the farmers have a thorough knowledge of the rather difficult art of 

 breeding, and the consequence is that fully 85 per cent, of all foxes in 

 captivity are to be found in the island province. 



The high prices for furs prevailing during recent years explain 

 why fur-farming has made such rapid progress in such a short time. 

 This is particularly true of the black fox industry. The fur-value of 

 £ high-grade black fox ranges from about $500 to about $2,500, but the 

 demand for breeders has been so great that the price has risen to $25,000 

 a pair for the best quality of breeding stock. Moreover, the promoter 

 has entered the field and companies are being floated whose capitaliza- 

 tions are based on these high prices and rosy expectations of profits. 

 Although there is ample basis for a sound industry in fox-farming, it is 

 necessary that the general public should realize that the industry is 

 becoming a highly speculative one, and that the individual who puts 

 his money in companies loaded with a heavy burden of capitalization 

 assumes a great risk. 



Since the fur-farming industry is so intimately connected with 

 the present high prices of furs, it will be worth while to inquire into the 

 causes of these high prices and endeavour to forecast to what extent they 

 will contin-ae to operate. 



Demand and Supply 

 e .. . Stated in general terms, fur has become scarce because less 



Scarcity *= ' 



of Furs is produced and more is used than ever before. The remark- 

 able increase in the demand for costly furs in the past twenty 

 years is due to a combination of causes. The population is growing. 

 The relative number of people in the wealthy classes is increasing. The 

 habits of travelling extensively and of living in metropolitan centres are 

 rapidly increasing. Commerce and more efficient salesmanship have 

 introduced furs all over the world so that their admirers and users are 

 multiplied. Dame Fashion, whose influence is predominant everywhere, 

 is responsible for a very heavy demand for certain kinds, and only the 

 best and scarcest are in high favour with her. Then, too, our growing 

 cities, which multiply the opportunities for gatherings and concourses, 

 especially of the well-to-do classes, engender competitive habits in 

 choosing personal adornments. 



