FUR-FARMING IN CANADA 45 



In 1912, vague reports were circulated among the 

 Diseases breeders of Prince Edward Island that a contagiouB 



parasitic disease was being introduced by blue foxes 

 imported from Alaska. A definite warning was furnished the Commis- 

 sion of Conservation by an eminent United States authority that such 

 a dangerous disease exists and would prove fatal to the fox industry if 

 introduced; but few details of the disease were presented. A letter of 

 inquiry was sent to Mr. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, 

 Department of Commerce and Labor, who has charge of the conserva- 

 tion of foxes and seals at certain points in Alaska. The reply under 

 date of November 25, 1912, is as follows: 



" The Bureau has not been informed of any particular para- 

 sitic disease as existing among the foxes of Alaska. So far as 

 known, fatal disease has been so rare as to be negligible in the con- 

 sideration of fox raising. Improper feeding, accidental poisoning 

 and tuberculosis have been known to cause the death of individual 

 foxes, but nothing in the nature of an epidemic has been reported." 



. As already stated, the capturing of escaped foxes presents 

 Escaped little difficulty provided they do not get outside the exterior 

 °^^^ fence. They will often, of their own accord, return through 



the open door after a few hours. Or, in the cases where escape has been 

 over snow banks, they will usually return when hungry. They may be 

 driven into the alleys from the outer enclosure when a temporary fence 

 of meshed wire is stretched across from the pen to the outer fence. 

 They can also be caught in box traps, or in steel traps which have the 

 jaws wrapped with muslin so that the limbs will not be injured. A live 

 hen or rabbit makes excellent bait. The latter method will often prove 

 effective when the fox has escaped to the woods, as they are likely, 

 especially if ranch-bred, to remain in the vicinity of the ranch. 



The ownership of an escaped fox is a disputed point. Many people 

 contend that a fox roaming at large is game for anyone, but, if the 

 ranchman can identify the live fox or the skin, he can recover it as his 

 personal property. 



Ranchmen have given serious study to the question of 



Marking for i • , • , • n 



Identification marking for identification. A numbered aluminum tag, 

 , which may be seen at a considerable distance, is often 

 fastened into the ear. In some way, however, the fox manages to get 

 it off. Marking the teeth by filing or tattooing them is also resorted to, 

 and has, at least, proved practicable. But the disadvantage of not mark- 

 ing the skin is obvious. A possible method, not yet attempted, is to 

 tattoo the skin with the owner's number or brand, which could be 



