FUR FACTS 135 



This cost of course does not include interest on the investment, but 

 merely actual labor charges and the cost of food. On a farm where 

 there are cows and where grain and vegetables can be raised, it is 

 not necessary to buy very much fox food. Except on large ranches 

 devoted exclusively to fox raising and where a special keeper must 

 be employed, the care of a few foxes will not entail much outlay. 



The fixed annual charges against a pair of silver foxes will vary 

 with the locality, value of equipment, etc. On some ranches it 

 has been estimated about as follows: Interest on cost of yards, $10; 

 depreciation of yards, $10; food, $20; and attendance, $50; amount- 

 ing to $90; added to this must be a reasonable charge for interest on 

 the original cost of the pair. Killing foxes at the age of 4 or 5 years, 

 when their pelts are good, and breeding always from young stock 

 may be practicable, but this point has not yet been decided. As a 

 rule, one may expect to keep choice animals as long as they are pro- 

 ductive; that is, about 10 years. Deterioration, therefore, on the live 

 stock will be 10 per cent; and to this should be added 10 per cent for 

 insurance against loss by death, escape, or theft. 



The value of breeding stock has fluctuated greatly in the past. In 

 general, it will depend on the current demand for silver fox skins; 

 and, in particular, on the character of the fur of individual animals. 

 Prolific animals belonging to choice strains, in which a superior color 

 and quality of fur have been fixed, are worth for breeding purposes 

 as much more than ordinary stock as pure-bred horses are than 

 common horses. 



As has been pointed out under the subject of improved strains, 

 crosses and reds derived from silvers throw a proportion of silver 

 cubs. It is feasible, therefore, if one is willing to sacrifice the time 

 required, to obtain a stock of silvers from these more common foxes, 

 which cost comparatively little. 



Income 



The profits from silver fox farming have generally been large. 

 Prior to 1910 they were derived almost wholly from pelts, but since 

 then they have come mainly from the sale of breeding stock. Fol- 

 lowing the decline of the speculative phase of the fox industry, 

 ranch-raised silver fox pelts reappeared in the market, and brought 

 encouraging prices, a few going as high as $1,000 each. January 

 quotations for No. 1 extra large skins during the 12 years from 1905 to 

 1916 average about $600 each. 



The supply of silver fox pelts must always come from cold climates 

 beyond the more thickly settled temperate regions. They are not 



