GAME AND FISHERIES FOR 1928 19 



EXPERIMENTAL FUR FARMING 



The first general report in connection with this branch of the Department's 

 activities is set forth herewith, for general information: — 



"It can be said without fear of contradiction that the Experimental Fur Farm 

 is the most comprehensive plant in existence conducted for the scientific study 

 of fur farming. The farm has an area of one hundred acres, which is roughly 

 divided into three portions, arable land, marsh and bush. 



"The whole acreage is enclosed by a fence with an overhang which serves 

 the double purpose of preventing any animal inside the fence from escaping and 

 also prevents undesirable animals from gaining access to the breeding grounds 

 of the muskrats and beaver. 



"Modern dwellings have been erected for the help with every convenience 

 installed. Buildings have been provided to facilitate the care and feeding of 

 the animals, including a cook-house, meat-house, work shop and barn. For 

 the study of diseases a laboratory has been established, with up-to-date equip- 

 ment, for research w^ork. 



"The creek which flows through the farm has been bridged and every 

 portion of the enclosed area is accessible. One of the most desirable features 

 of the farm is the marsh, which can be said to be almost ideal for the propagation 

 of muskrat in the natural state and contains a heavy growth of aquatic plants 

 of many varieties. 



"On the farm will be found a very unique collection of animals, including 

 silver, black, white, red, and cross fox, fisher, lynx, mink, marten, skunk, rac- 

 coon, beaver, muskrat, moose and deer; also wild ducks, swans and Canada 

 geese. Two wolves are also kept for exhibition purposes. 



"Oiie of the first problems facing the breeder of fur-bearing animals is that 

 of suitable housing, and considerable experimental work has been done along 

 this line and is still in progress. All species of fur-bearing animals require warm 

 dry nests, dampness or draughts are invariably fatal over a period of time. 



"It has been found with beaver that they require a pen so constructed that 

 they have access to the water at all times. Beaver kept on dry land quickly 

 show the effect, the fur becomes dry and harsh and a condition of a purulent 

 nature affects the eyes. The most satisfactory pen for beaver consists of a dark 

 house, from which leads a tunnel into the water. The house must be high and 

 dry, as well as damp and draught proof. 



"Fox pens of different styles have been built in order to determine the most 

 suitable arrangement, taking into consideration, mainly, the need for shade and 

 the best material for flooring. 



"It was found that the foxes raised in pens providing partial shade had a 

 better texture to the fur than those raised in open pens without shade. Due 

 to the ever-increasing mortality among foxes from parasitic infection, three 

 different types of floors have been installed, viz.: wood, cement, and gravel, in 

 order to ascertain which of these three materials is the most efficient in prevent- 

 ing the hatching out of the eggs laid by the adult parasites, and which in turn 

 infect the fox. 



"The Experimental Fur Farm is finding that the wood and cement floors 

 are much more efi^ective than the gravel ones. 



"Mink and muskrat houses featuring a central alley with the nest boxes 

 and feed pans under cover, and the wire runs extending from both sides of the 

 alley have been built, and are a big improvement over open pens entirely exposed 



