BLUE-FOX FARMING IX 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 plrysical condition. The under- 
fur should be abundant, soft, and dark in color, the darker the bet- 
ter. Matted or woolly underfur is not desirable. (See fig. 19.) 
TVhen prime, a blue fox should be a dark maltese color throughout 
the entire pelt. Clearness of color is one of the most important 
B2433M 
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. Rust 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 attributed to feeding, breeding, 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. 
