228 ECONOMIC MAMMALOGY 



led to a great expansion in the industry during the last few years. 

 From 1910 to 1912 the best breeding stock rose from $3,000 to 

 $15,000 a pair, one live pair having sold for $20,000 in 1912, and some 

 were quoted at from $18,000 to $35,000, while one silver fox skin 

 sold in London for nearly $3,ooo. 42 Those sensational prices were in- 

 flated, but served to stimulate the industry. In 1914, 992 live adult 

 foxes and some pelts from Prince Edward Island sold for $3i7,775, 43 

 and in 1918 one farmer on the island sold $14,000 worth of fox pelts 

 from his farm. 44 



In 1923 it was stated that there were at least 15,000 silver foxes in 

 captivity and over $8,000,000 invested in the business. 45 In 1928 it was 

 said that there were 2500 fur farms in the United States and Alaska, 

 mostly silver or blue fox, with a total investment of from $15,000,000 

 to $18,000,000, and 2130 fox farms in Canada, with an investment 

 of $13,240,245. From six silver fox farms 1541 skins were sold for 

 $215,740, average price $140; and 4089 were sold in 1925 at an aver- 

 age price of $132, the highest price for one pelt being $52O. 46 



Such phenomenal profits of particular fox enterprises attract public 

 attention. The failures or instances of small profits are not widely 

 heralded. With expert care, based upon a thorough knowledge of fox 

 habits, coupled with abundant good fortune, fox farms are often 

 highly successful ventures, but there are many opportunities for fail- 

 ure, through accident, disease, ignorance of the habits of foxes, etc. 

 Better methods are being devised to make the business safer and more 

 profitable. Many people find the odor of foxes when in close confine- 

 ment very disagreeable and dogs are said to dislike their flesh. 47 



The domesticated dogs are faithful friends, holding a high place 

 in the esteem of mankind. Besides being prized as pets, many of 

 them are useful as shepherds, hunters, watchdogs and protectors of 

 children. The dogs of the Alps have been used in the rescue of moun- 

 tain climbers who have been injured or lost in snowstorms. Many 

 interesting stories are told about the intelligence and resourcefulness 

 of dogs when human beings were in danger and needed help. They 



42 Jones, Fur farming in Canada, pp. 14, 15, 49, in, 1913. See also Allen and 

 McLure, Theory and practice of fox ranching, Charlottetown, Prince Edward 

 Island, 1926. 



43 Innis, The fur trade of Canada, p. 73, 1927. 



44 Laut, The fur trade of America, p. 65, 1921. 



45 Ashbrook, California Fish and Game, ix, 161, 1923. 



46 Ashbrook, Fur farming for profit, pp. 19, 24, 1928. 



47 Ross, Dogs dislike fox flesh but relish that of wildcats, Journ. Mammalogy, 

 ix, 250, 1928. 



