FUR^FARMING IN CANADA 



Introduction 



UR-FARMING is a new industry in Canada, but its 

 development has been rapid. A particular investi- 

 gation conducted in the latter half of 1912 and further 

 inquiries made during 1913 revealed numerous instances 

 where animals of various species were being bred in 

 captivity for their fur. Foxes of two species and of all 

 colour varieties, skunk, mink, raccoon, fisher, beaver 

 and muskrat were foimd upon fur-farms. The marten 

 and otter are likewise being domesticated for their fur. During the 

 past two years the number of fur-farms has multiplied exceedingly. 

 In the province of Prince Edward Island, which may be considered 

 the centre from which the fur-farmiag interest has chiefly radiated, 

 probably six hundred ranches exist where one species or another is 

 kept in confinement. In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfound- 

 land the industry is extending with great rapidity and at this date — 

 November, 1913 — ^practically every trapper is trying to capture foxes, 

 mink, marten, otter and skunk for purposes of domestication. A 

 great and rapidly extending interest is manifested in Quebec, Ontario, 

 Western Canada and the New England states. Russia has realized 

 her advantageous position for the prosecution of this industry and has 

 passed an enactment prohibiting the export of her karakule sheep. 

 An extensive development of sable, silver and polar fox farms is also 

 taking place in that coimtry. 



The great interest manifested in fur-farming is to be ascribed to 

 the remarkable success attained in breeding silver and other colour 

 phases of the fox common to Eastern Canada. The black and dark 

 silver prime skins from foxes produced on Prince Edward Island 

 ranches have rarely brought less than $500.00 each, and frequently 

 bring over $2,000.00 at London auction sales. The pioneer fox 

 breeders have acquired wealth in the business and their success has 

 inspired their neighbours to engage in a similar line of work. Naturally 

 the price of breeding stock, responding to the increased demand, has 

 risen to many times the fur value, so that the ownership of even a pair 

 of silver foxes is impossible to the average farmer. 



