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PJSH AND GAME COMMISSION 



Fur Farming. — An increased interest in fur farming has been dis- 

 played during the past two years. The raising of silver, black and 

 cross foxes has probably shown the most development. Muskrats would 

 thrive in many localities but the possibilities of this branch of fur 

 farming are limited due to the necessity of prohibiting the raising of 

 these animals in localities where they could cause damage to irrigation 

 canals, ditches and levees or other protective works. Raccoon, skunk, 

 mink and other fur bearers are raised to some extent in captivity, and 

 trappers are finding that many of these animals, when trapped, are 

 more valuable if kept alive and sold for breeding purposes than if the 

 pelts alone are sold. 



Pathological Investigations. — Another function assigned to this 

 bureau is the survey of diseases that affect wild birds and mammals. 

 This study of game diseases has been made possible largely through 

 the cooperation of the University of California. Dr. K. F. Meyer, 



Fig. 2 4. View of duck hospital established at Buena Vista Lake, fall of 

 1927. The pintail ducks in the picture were rescued as sick birds and after 

 treatment were banded and liberated. Photograph by Roy Ludlum. 



Director of Hooper Foundation for Medical Research, has accepted 

 at that institution. Parasitological studies are conducted in the labora- 

 an appointment as Consulting Pathologist of the Division of Fish and 

 Game and has undertaken the supervision of our pathological investiga- 

 tions. With facilities furnished at Hooper Foundation, this division 

 has equipped a pathological laboratory and a chemical laboratory 

 tories of the Zoological Department of the University of California 

 under the direction of Professor C. A. Kofoid. 



R. J. Irvine, chemist, has been attached to the bureau since its 

 creation. E. C. O'Roke, parasitologist, was employed on a part time 

 basis in November, 1927. Dr. H. Van Roekel, pathologist, reported 

 for duty on June 1, 1928. Due to the inability to secure the services 

 of the latter two scientists until so late in the biennial period, much 

 of the program that had been outlined has not been completed. 



