2 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Corporations and partnerships with a total capitalization of 

 $10,000,000 or $12,000,000 have been established for farming the silver 

 fox. A large proportion of the inhabitants of Prince Edward Island 

 and a smaller proportion of those of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia 

 have invested their money, sometimes even mortgaging their property, 

 to buy stock in these enterprises. Others have attempted to breed fur- 

 bearing animals which require less capital for foundation stock. 



Thus, in 1912 and 1913, upwards of 6,000 red and 1,000 cross or 

 patch foxes were captured and made inmates of ranches in Eastern 

 Canada. Probably more than 1,000 animals of various other species 

 fared similarly. The industry has spread into Russia, where fur- 

 beariag animals such as the Russian sable and the polar and the silver 

 fox are now extensively farmed. Sables from the vicinity of Irkutsk 

 and karakule sheep from Bokhara have, at great expense to the im- 

 porters, been brought to America. 



The great enthusiasm for fur-farming in Eastern Canada has re- 

 sulted in high prices for breeding animals and seems to have created 

 in the popular mind the impression that the soil and the climatic con- 

 ditions of that region are favourable to the production of the best fur. 

 It is true that splendid fox and mink are produced there, but it should 

 not necessarily be assumed that polar fox, Labrador marten and Russian 

 sable will thrive and fur up as well as in their own habitat. But, what- 

 ever the outcome of these experiments, the fact is that the reputed 

 skUl of its fur-farmers in caring for the animals has led to a centraliza- 

 tion of the fur-producing industry on Prince Edward Island. It is 

 probably true that at least 85 per cent of the silver foxes in captivity 

 are to be found in the Island province. 



The high prices for furs prevailing during recent years explain 

 why fur-farming has made such rapid progress in such a short time. 

 This is particularly true of the black fox industry. The fur-value of 

 a high-grade prime black fox skin ranges from about $500 to about 

 $2,500; but the demand for breeding animals has been so great that 

 the price has risen to $35,000 a pair for the best quality of breeding 

 stock. Moreover, the promoter has entered the field and companies 

 are being floated whose capitalizations are based on these high prices for 

 pelts and on very rosy expectations of profits. It cannot be predicted 

 with certainty what the price wEl be when even a few thousand more 

 skins are marketed yearly. The price will certainly decline eventually 

 in conformity with the increase in supply, but will probably always 

 remain high on account of the fur's extreme beauty. Although there 

 is ample basis for a sound industry in fox-farming, it is necessary that 

 the general public should realize that the industry is a highly speculative 

 one, and that the individual who puts his money in companies capital- 



