FOXES AND FOX-FARMING 217 



square. These may be but a few rods from a 

 farm-house, or, if visitors are excluded, in a 

 quiet place on the outskirts of a village. A 

 half-acre will accommodate about six pairs of 

 foxes, which is quite as many as a beginner 

 should attempt to handle. The selection of 

 ground may depend upon circumstances, but ef- 

 fort should be made to include a few trees or 

 small shrubs. These afford shade and a feel- 

 ing of seclusion and security to the animals. 



Inclosures for foxes are made with woven- 

 wire fencing, but the mesh should be not greater 

 than 2-inch, for young foxes are able to wriggle 

 through an opening three inches square. The 

 fencing should be about 10 feet high and sunk 

 into the ground two feet. The foxes try to 

 escape, when first placed in the pen, by digging 

 at the edge of the wire, and abandon the effort 

 when they find themselves stopped near the 

 surface. The top of the fence, however, must 

 have an inward overhang of two feet to prevent 

 the animals climbing out. 



Form of enclosures. In the arrangement of 

 sub-divisions the general plan should conform 

 to that shown in the accompanying diagram. 



