10 



been used AA'ith fair success, and in other cases yards have been situ- 

 ated in thick woods (%. 3). Xeither extreme is to be desired, but 

 many trees are better than none at all. For the sake of cleanliness, 

 sandy soil should be selected whereyer possible. 



The fox farm of exaggerated newspaper account usually is repre- 

 sented as occupying a lonely island or a yast inclosure of wild land, 

 and too often beginners are led to believe that such places are es- 

 sential. This is not the case, for, although an ordinary back yard 

 is not quite sufficient, but little more is required. Islands have some 

 advantages and apparently are suited to the requirements of blue 

 foxes in Alaska ; but silver foxes need close personal attention, which 



can better be given 

 in restricted inclo- 

 sures. 



INCLOSURES AND 

 EQUIPMENT. 



Inclosures for 

 foxes are made 

 with some of the 

 many varieties of 

 woven - wire fenc- 

 ing. Xo. 16 gal- 

 vanized wire is 

 strong enough, but 

 not so durable as 

 Xo. 14. The mesh 

 should be not 

 greater than 2- 

 inch, for young 

 foxes are able to 



Fig. 3.-F0X yards iu thick woods. Wriggle through au 



opening 3 inches 



square. The fencing should be about 10 feet high and sunk into the 

 ground 2 feet, while at the top 2 feet should be allowed for an inward 

 overhang to prevent the animals from climbing out. The sunken part 

 may be turned in 1 foot or more, and flat stones may be laid at the 

 edge to prevent escape by digging. Exj)erience shows that this pre- 

 caution is rather more than is necessary, for since the foxes try to 

 escape by digging only at the edge of the wire, sufficient security is 

 obtained by merely sinking the wire directly into the ground. The 

 use of stones, however, is usually but little additional expense. The 

 way they are laid is well shown in figure 4. The overhanging hori- 

 zontal wire is easily adjusted along the top of the fence by means 



328 



