PROFITABLE FOXES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 95, 7 September 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

PROFITABLE FOXES

A.N EXTRAORDINARY INDUSTRY. The growth of the fox-farming industry in Nova Scotia is a recent and interesting development. The neighboring province of Prince Edward Island has also taken up the breeding of black and silver-grey foxes on a large scale, and big profits are being made. Not only farmers, but doctors, financiers and other business men are engaging in this novel industry. Two pairs of old foxes sold recently realised ±'4loo and £4305 respectively, and the price for younger animals is from £1230 to £IG4O a pair. According to Major Schurman, of Win* nipeg, who spent the winter in Prince Edward Island, the climate of that pro : vince is peculiarly suited to the black fox, and the fur of the animals raised on the island is more valuable than those of animals raised in any other part of the world. "Recent successes in this connection have caused great commotion among the farmers, and I heard of a number of cases where men had mortgaged their farms to raise money to enter upon the industry. The cost attending the construction of a reasonably safe ranch is about £615, as it is necessary to protect the animals from interference and even observation. In several cases where the animals have been alarmed they have been known to kill their young. Several farmers have already made fortunes. One lam acquainted with cleared during the past few years over €IOO,OOO from the raising of black foxes."

Some additional facts with reference to this industry are given in a letter which the Standard of Empire has received from Mrs. Louise B. Macready, of Chai;lottetown, Prince Edward Island. This lally writes: "The reason why almost every inhabitant of this island is in some way interested in the fox is the fact that expert opinion has given first place in the London market to skins from Prince Edward Island. The climate of this spot is agreed to be the best in the world for this very profitable industry. "Ranches in this province number many more than one hundred. The exact number is difficult to determine, because of new ones springing up each week. The best pelts on the London market sell for about £IOO. The average pelt brings from about £3O to £60." A writer in the Charlottetown Guardian, after comparing the war waged by human beings on the vulpine family with considerate treatment the valuable fur foxes now receive, says: "Here in Prince Edward Island, where the purest and glossiest of the tribe reside, one of his little ones at birth is counted much more valuable than its weight in gold. And what recognition he receives from the great of the land! The King's representative mentions him in the Speech from the Throne at our great State ceremonial. Twenty or more members of the Provincial Legislature discuss him in their speeches in the Assembly Halls. Clearly Sir Reynard, if he takes cognisance of what our great men are doing and saying, must feel flattered as well as puzzled, and will hereafter -bear himself even more proudly than before. The press, too ,pays frequent tribute to his beauty, his monetary worth, his lordly ways, and his value as an asset to the land he adorns. Great is his fame. A health to Sir Reynard, the Aristocrat of the Ranch!"