FOXES AND FOX-FARMING 229 



such as prolificness, a strain may be obtained 

 which will breed with the certainty of our do- 

 mestic animals. This in time should produce 

 a thoroughly domesticated race of foxes, a re- 

 sult of inestimable value, amply justifying the 

 utmost efforts. Although it may not be fully 

 accomplished by those who begin it, every 

 breeder should keep its importance in mind, for 

 every slight improvement will be to his ad- 

 vantage, and in the end the unqualified success 

 of the business will be assured. 



Slight improvement of individual male an- 

 imals not intended for breeding may be ob- 

 tained by castration. This has been tried with 

 red foxes, and found to yield an animal of 

 somewhat increased size. In buying a young 

 breeding-pair of silver foxes great care is nec- 

 essary. Try to see the parents of the proposed 

 purchase. October is the best month for buy- 

 ing, and examination should be made in bright 

 sunshine. An experienced breeder advises the 

 use of a magnifying-glass in examining the fur 

 to see if it is thick and glossy with a long dark 

 under-fur and no trace of red, especially inside 

 the ears. 



