﻿BLUE-FOX FARMING IN ALASKA 



17 



ters on an island, but this is generally a very small part of the 

 breeding operations. 



The real basis for selecting breeding foxes is the quality of fur 

 produced. Indications from conformation occupy a secondary 

 place. 



PELTS 



At the time the foxes are trapped to pelt, the rancher should care- 

 fully select and retain desirable animals for breeding stock. The 

 pelt should be perfectly and evenly furred all over, both on the back 

 and on the belly. A fur that is reasonably long, lustrous, and silky 

 indicates that the animal is in good physical condition. The under- 

 fur should be abundant, soft, and dark in color, the darker the bet- 

 ter. Matted or woolly unclerfur is not desirable. (See fig. 19.) 



Wlien prime, a blue fox should be a dark maltese color throughout 

 the entire pelt. Clearness of color is one of the most important 



Fig. 19.- — Blue-fox pelts ready for inspection by raw-fur buyers 



factors in determining quality. Deficiency in luster and a rust or 

 tinge, which gives a brownish or chocolate cast to the fur, reduce 

 the value. A breeding fox possessing a rusty pelt, no matter to 

 what degree, should be eliminated. A perfectly furred pelt, slightly 

 tinged, is less valuable on the fur market than one fairly well furred 

 but clear in color. Kust or tinge has been attributed to many causes, 

 including breeding, feeding, and sunlight. It is possible that 

 heredity is a determining factor and that the undesirable char- 

 acteristic can be eliminated by careful selection. 



The term "samson " is applied to foxes devoid of guard hairs and 

 having a very inferior woolly fur. This condition has been vari- 

 ously atti'ibut<}d to feeding, bi'eeding, and parasites. The real cause 

 is not definitely known, and for this reason it is highly inadvisable 

 to use such foxes for breeding. The pelts have small value on the 

 market. 



47437°— 2.5 3 



