184 FUR FACTS 



needed. Rabbits are the natural prey of wild foxes. They have an 

 important place on a fox ranch as a fox food which can be drawn 

 upon at any time, always fresh, and which is in such small units 

 that ice or other preservatives are unnecessary. 



Occasionally a mother having young cubs is unable to give them 

 proper attention. Then a foster parent must be supplied at once or 

 the cubs will die. To provide for emergencies of this kind, every 

 ranch should include several female cats. 



The products of a fox farm breeding stock and pelts are ready 

 for market at definite seasons. The live animals are mainly sold 

 during the autumn, as it is to the interest of buyers to have their 

 stock fully accustomed to new surroundings before the breeding sea- 

 son. By the middle of September young foxes are large enough and 

 the weather is sufficiently cool for shipping with safety. When there 

 is not an adequate local demand, foxes are generally disposed of by 

 advertising in publications devoted to furs, fur farming, or trapping. 

 Shipments of live stock by express are generally at the risk and ex- 

 pense of the purchaser. Valuable animals are usually accompanied 

 by a caretaker, especially if the journey lasts more than two days. 



Skins of foxes killed late in December, when fox fur is in its finest 

 condition, are ready for market in January. Foxes are skinned by 

 making a cut straight from one heel along the rear edges of the 

 hind legs and beneath the tail to the other heel, and withdrawing 

 the body through this slit. The skin of the tail should be cut along 

 lower side, its entire length, and the bone removed in order that air 

 may come freely into contact with the flesh side and dry it quickly. 

 Unless this precaution is taken, the tip of the tail is likely to de- 

 compose and lose its hair. For the same reason the back skin of 

 the ears should be separated from the cartilage to which it is at- 

 tached. When the operation of skinning is over, the pelt is freed 

 from particles of fat and muscle. Before the skin is completely 

 dry it should be removed from the board, turned hair side out, and 

 hung by the nose where it will be free from pressure on all sides. 

 No preservative is required. Although raw fur buyers are to be 

 found in nearly every town in fur-producing regions, fox farmers 

 prefer to sell their peltries direct to the largest fur establishments, 

 where rare furs are handled extensively and where experienced 

 furriers are familiar with values. 



Costs 



It is estimated that it will cost about $50.00 per fox per year to 

 raise them. This of course varies and depends on general conditions. 



