8 
BULLETIN 301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
North Dakota, and extends southward along the mountains in Xew 
York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and in all the States of the 
Kocky Mountain region and westward. South of the forested regions 
of the northern tier of States and western Oregon, however, the 
Canadian Zone, although sufficiently cold, is too dry and sunny for 
the production of first-class fur. In the Transition Zone, foxes hav- 
ing a fair quality of fur may be raised, but the best are obtained only 
in more northern latitudes. 
RANCH SITES. 
One of the most important conditions affecting the choice of site 
for a fox ranch is security from unusual noises and occurrences. Not 
that the animals must be kept where they can neither see nor hear the 
doings of civilization; 
but these must not be 
irregular or obtrusive, 
and every precaution 
should be taken to 
prevent unusual dis- 
turbances. The fox is 
naturally timid and 
nervous. It can be 
tamed to a degree, but 
its excitable temper- 
ament can be com- 
pletely overcome only 
by a long process of 
careful breeding and 
selection. It is espe- 
cially shy and irrita- 
ble during the breed- 
ing season. 
Foxes like to be 
screened from obser- 
vation, and by day 
in the wild state are rarely found far from cover. During the heat 
of summer, especially, they enjoy dense shade. Furthermore, sun- 
shine is deleterious to the color and character of fur. It is advisable, 
therefore, to locate a ranch among a growth of young trees thick enough 
to shade about hah of the ground. Deciduous trees are preferable to 
evergreens, as they allow the sun to make the yards more comfortable 
in winter and to clear the ground of snow earlier in spring. Old trees 
are likely to be broken by storms, and in falling to demolish fences. 
On a slope with a southern exposure the snow will be gone and the 
ground warm when the cubs are ready to leave the dens. A clay 
Fig. 3. — Vertical cross section of a barrel den. 
