162 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



At first, very few breeders took advantage of this opportunity, but, 

 when in the summer and autumn of 1915 it became apparent that little 

 business could be done except by persons whose foxes were registered, 

 there was a rush on the part of breeders to register their stock. The 

 form of registration includes the marking and identification of the 

 foxes, and is very complete.* 



The result arising from this registration and enrolment cannot but 

 be beneficial as it will prevent the selling of foxes for other than what 

 they really are, and will thus restore confidence to the investing public. 

 It will also to a great extent check, if not prevent, the flotation of wild- 

 cat companies and otherwise place the fox industry on a sound basis. 



Although it was felt that the war would have a bad effect on the 

 fox- farming industry by limiting the market for furs and lowering the 

 price of fox pelts, it is a remarkable fact that fox skins offered for 

 sale this year have realized handsome prices, some skins realizing from 

 $500 to $2,000 each. This has to a great extent restored confidence in 

 the industry and has tended to bolster up the price of live foxes. 



With care and good management the Silver Black Fox Breeders' 

 Association of Prince Edward Island will accomplish a great work 

 and will elevate the raising of foxes in captivity to the rank of a great 

 industry. 



Mr. Daniels: Does this deal with pedigreed foxes? 



Mr. ArsenaulT: The registration requires: the name of the ani- 

 mal, the sex, when whelped and where bred, the markings, malforma- 

 tions, if any; the number of pups in the litter that the animal came 

 from, and detailed information as to present and previous ownership. 

 In order to identify the foxes, they have a system of marking which 

 is simply a tattoo in the ear. They have an instrument which tattoos 

 the name, the year of birth and the number, so that the fox can be iden- 

 tified wherever it is found, even when the pelt is marketed. The result 

 will be that, when pelts come to the market you can trace the origin of 

 the pelt and, if it has brought a good price, it will increase the value 

 of the stock. 



Dr. Robertson : Is the tattooing a necessary part of the procedure 

 of obtaining registration ? 



Mr. ArsenaulT: Yes. It is essential and makes a record. In 

 that way there will be no chance of practising any deception as to the 



♦See Appendices II and III. 



