52 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



fox will become even more fashionable than at present and that the 

 demand will thus be increased, but no one can forecast definitely what 

 fashion will do. It should also be noted that the Kussian sable, chin- 

 chilla, sea-otter and seal will be off the market for several yearsi, and, on 

 this account, an increased demand for the fur of the silver fox may be 

 created. 



The imitation of silver fox is also impossible because of the colours 

 of the silver-banded black overhairs. The nearest imitation is the 

 German-dyed pointed fox, made from a common red fox dyed black, 

 which has white hairs from the badger or other animals sewed into it or 

 fastened in by adhesives. It is easily distinguished from the silver 

 fox fur and is not favoured except as a medium-priced article. It is 

 not nearly as beautiful as silver fox. The silver band in a genuine 

 skin is not white, but silvery, and the whole skin possesses a gloss 

 not equalled by a dyed product. The dyeing process, also, has the dis- 

 advantage of rendering the fur less durable. 



With regard to the statement that much of the stock is of poor 

 quality and low-priced, it must be admitted that this is time. While 

 statistics of the low prices obtained for pelts obviously could not be 

 secured, it is quite probable that at least 30 per cent, of the silver 

 foxes would bring a price of from $50 to $500. At the present quo- 

 tations, probably another 30 per cent, would be priced between $500 

 and $1,000 and the other 40 per cent, would bring from $1,000 to 

 $4,000 each. The ability to recognize a cheap grade of fur instantly is 

 essential in the present state of the business as traders represent a 

 silver fox as such regardless of quality; and, usually, only a short and 

 distant examination of the animal is r>j.ssible. Besides, the sales are 

 made at a season when the fur is not m prime condition to pass judg- 

 ment on. 



If wild foxes do not decrease when a country is settled, it is not 

 recorded that they increase. The number in unsettled regions, how- 

 ever, is diminishing. 



Profits in the industry so far have been large, but, except from the 

 point of view of tlie individual, the dividend on the money invested is 

 not the main consideration. From the social and economic viewpoint, 

 the discovery of how to breed high-grade foxes is what is important. 

 It is akin to an invention ; but, as it cannot be patented, the neighbours 

 of the inventors have become the promoters of a new method of pro- 

 ducing a marketable commodity. No huge factories can be built 

 in a few months to manufacture the article to the limit of demand; 

 only the natural law of increase of foxes Avhich is not much over 100 



