66 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



amending the provincial trespass laws so as to increase the fine for 

 trespassing near fox ranch property.* 



Because of the mixLag of various strains of foxes, it is difficult to 

 secure reliable "performance" records of stock. The only "perform- 

 ances" worth noting in foxes are the prices of the pelts of the an- 

 cestors, and such features as fecundity, beauty, size and weight of the 

 pelt. Well-organized provincial associations could keep perform- 

 ance records, and the various provincial organizations could co-oper- 

 ate with the Federal Department of Agriculture for registration. 



Quarantine is a question that may, at any time, become of prime 

 importance. Thus, if disease breaks out in any district, the Fed- 

 eral Department of Agriculture, if requested by a strong association of 

 breeders, might be induced to undertake a quarantine. 



The whole problem of the protection of wild animals and the pos- 

 sibility of propagating them in captivity are broad questions that re- 

 quire more attention than has been given them in the past. A Dominion 

 Furriers and Fur-farming Association organized along lines similar 

 to the Canadian Forestry Association, and like the latter, publishing its 

 own journal, could do much to promote a healthy interest in protecting 

 and propagating wild life. The organization of provincial associations 

 would be the first logical step in such a movement. To establish a per- 

 manent national organization, representatives of the fur trade, the 

 fur farms, the game wardens and commissioners, and the government 

 experts could be called together. 



POLAR OR ARCTIC FOX 



(Vulpes lagopus) 



The polar fox is found in the high latitudes. It is of two colour 

 phases — ^white, and the so-called blue, which is really a drab gray re- 

 sembling somewhat in colour a maltese cat. The white fox is brown in 

 summer with the under parts lighter or drab. The white winter coat 

 has a pure white long overfur with an underwool of a darker colour. 

 The blue phase is of a gray-brown colour all the year round and is found 

 more abundantly in the southern portion of the range of these foxes. 

 It is said to exist in Greenland and Iceland. The number of blue-fox 

 pelts sold annually is about one-tenth of the number of white-fox, and 

 they sell for several times as much, bringing, at present market prices, 

 from $20 to $75 each, and even higher for choice pelts. 



*See Appendix VII. 



