FOXES AND FOX-FARMING — 231 
and the drying should not be hastened by ex- 
posure to the sun or artificial heat. 
Expectation of profit. Every  silver-fox 
raised is likely to yield a pelt having a market 
value of over $100. Even pale skins bring this 
figure, and darker ones much more. Pure black 
skins command prices ranging from $500 to 
$2,000. It is, therefore, evident that a moder- 
ate income may be derived by raising compara- 
_ tively few foxes. In the present stage of the 
business the sale of foxes for breeding-stock is 
very profitable, as the live animals in good con- 
dition often bring fully twice as much as their 
cured skins. In fact, good, live, silver foxes 
seldom can be obtained for less than $600 per 
pair, and much higher prices have been. paid. 
The high prices paid for silver-fox skins are 
due to the rarity of the animals, and the ex- 
tensive production of such skins would neces- 
sarily tend to a reduction in price. Increasing 
population and wealth, however, insure a large 
future demand for fine furs, and no great de- 
crease in prices is likely to occur until produc- 
tion reaches large proportions. 
