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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MKIOCOPY MSOIUTION THT CHART (ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No. 2) tii 1^ 11° 12.0 ■ 2.2 ^iJ^ A /APPLIED IIVMG E Ine ^K ■^^■5 Eo»' M«"' Street B^,^ -ocheater, New Yofk U609 LISA '-S '-e) *.82 - 0300 - Phone ^B { .' 1 ^.,: 288 - 5989 - Fax I, Commission of ConservAtion ConMuUd undrr "Tkt Conttrratitm Ael," »-0 Kdwnrd Vll, t%,p. 27J1909. andamrndint AcU. 9-10 W««.rd Vlt. ehap. 42, 1910, and 3-4 Otarg* V . C'*-i;<. 12, 1B13. Ci>Kirm«n : HoM. CLirroMD StrroN Mtmbcrs : Hon. AuBii: E. Aiimnaclt, Summerelde, P.E.I. !)■ HowAKD MnmuY, l)»lhouiii« Univeniity, H»Uf«x, «.». D«. KT Jon"^, ChmnceUor. Univertity of New fenm.wick. Frederic ton, N.B. ^^ ^ „ _ Mr. William B. Snowbam-, rhatbwn, N.B. Hnv H«N«i rf HtLANH. M I) . M.P., St. J, cph-de-Bj-auce, Oue. "rr" NK b Ada". DUn:F.culty of Applk^d Science. McOlll Univ.«ity. MoNwwNBUH CHAKLF.* P. CtKHjuiTT., St. Hywinthe. Que Profe«wr, ^mitmry of St. Hyacinthe and Member of faculty, Laval Lnivenity Mk. Edward Gohier, St. Laurent, Que. Dr. Jamrb W. Robbrwjn, C.M.O., Chairman, Royal CojnmUiion on In- duitrial TraininR and Technical Education, Otta»v», Ont. S«8A5;»rSRDFL.MWO,K.C.M.O., OtUwa, Ont.. Chancellor, Queen. Hon. SiNAToR Wiluam Cambkon Edwai»», Ottawa, O"*- Toronto Sir Edmund B. 0«l«r, M.P., Oovemor, Univerrity of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. Mr. Charli:* A. McCoot, Ottawa, Ont. T„w,n»„ Ont Mr. J. F. Mackat, Businew Manaaer, "The Globe," Toronto, Ont. Dr. B. E. Fbrncw, Dean, Faculty of Forettry, Univer«ity of Toronto, Toronto. t)nt. . .. , , «.. i «._ Dr Georoi: Bptcb, University of Manitoba, n innipea, Man. Dr. W. J. Rutherford, Member of Faculty, University of Saskatchewan, Dr. h'^m' W?pJUldent, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta. Mr. John HENn'.T, Vancouver, B.C. Members, ex-officio : Hon. Martin Burrbll, Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa Hon. W. J. Roche, Minister of the Interior, tHtawa Hon. Louib Coderhe, Minister of Mines, Ottawa .»»„„.„ rr.„„_i Hon. John A. >Uthieson, K.C, President, Premier, and Attorney-General, Prince Edward Island ^ , „ „ ^. Hon. Orlando T. Daniels. nomey-General, Nova Scofa Hon: Ja«8 K. Flemmino, Pren - . . Manitoba „ . Hon. James A. Calder, Mini-t^r -iways and Highways, Saskat- Hon" Ar-??ttr L. SirroN, Premier, Minister of Railways and Telephones. Hon. William R. Ross, Minister of Lands, British ColumbU Assistant to Chairman and Deputy Head : Mr. James White I Commission of Conservation CANADA COMMITTEE OS FISHERIES, QAMF AND FUR-BE A RISa ANIMALS FUR-FARMING IN CANADA Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged By J. WALTER JONES. B.A.. B.S.A. Otiam: Tk* MoctlMr Co., Ud. 1914 Committee on Fisheries, Game and Fiir'bearing Animals Chairman: Dr. Cecil C. Jones Members: Hon. O. T. Daniels Hon. J. K. Fleumino Hon. W. H. Hearst Hon. J. H. Howden Hon. J. A. BIathisson Dr. Howard Murray Dr. J. W. Robertson Hon. W. R. Ross ^0bn'4:i(i To Field M***"*!- Hib Royal Highness Prince Arthur Wiluam Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and of Strathbarn, K.G., K.T., K.P., Ac, Ac, Governor-General of Canada May it Please Your Royal Highness: The undersigned has the honour to lay before Your Royal Highness the report on Fur-farming in Canada, new edition, corrected and revised. Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD SIFTON, Chairman Ottawa, February 4, 1914 Ottawa, Febbcart 3, 1014 Sir. I have the honour to transmit herewith the report on Fur-farming in Canada, new edition, corrected and revised. Your obedient servant, JAMES WHITE, Asaiakmt to Chairman Hon. CLiFFORn Suton, Chairman Commission of Conservation I. n. Ill IV. V. VI. VII. Contents PAGI INTRODUCTION 1 EARLY ATTEHPTS TO DOMESTICATE THE POX l» MANCAIi OF FUR-FARHINa Common Rkd Fox: the bcixncs op brbbdino 20 BANCHINO pRAcnca 31 PraxNCIAL ABPBCn 59 POI.AR OR Arctic Fox: Bttnt POX-PABMINQ M blue foxes op the pribilof islands 71 Karakul Sheep 81 Raccoon 89 Weasel Family: MINK 90 MARTEN OR AMERICAN SABLE 97 PI8HBR, PEKAN OR PENNANT MARTEN 98 CANADIAN OTTER 99 SKUNK 104 Rodents: MUSKRAT 110 BEATER Ill Reindbbb and Moose: the rxindebr in canada 113 moose 118 PREPARINQ SKINS FOR MANUFACTURE 117 THE COMMERCE IN RAW FURS Centres op the Fur Trade 126 London Fur Market 127 Prices op Silver Fox Skins 131 APPENDICES I. Value op Wild Animals 137 II. Experience in Raisinq Viroinla Deer 139 III. Selected Articles prom American Breeders' Association Reports: objects op BREEDING WILD MAMMALS 141 EXOTIC SPECIES POR DOMESTICATION 142 BREEDINQ OP THE WAPITI 144 BREKDINa THE VIRGINIA DEER 145 BREEDING FUR-BEARING ANIMALS 147 IV. Reindeer Progress in Alaska 152 V. The Romance op Fur 156 VI. The Muskrat 159 VII. Canadian Legislation Respecting Fcr-farminq 165 VIII. Notes Concerning the Conservation op Qame in Quebec. . 182 IX. Statistics op Fur PRODUcnoN 186 X. Statistics op Fur Prices 215 XI. Fur-farming Companies and Fur-farmers in Canada 222 XII. Report op Fur Sales, March, 1914, Lampson 4 Co 262 INDEX 257 vii ILLUSTRATIONS _ „ „ PAGE I. SlTTINO ON THB BoX IN WhICS Hi ItADX A RAILWAY JOUBNCT, Sbphmbui Fub FnttUitpUet II. A Fuix-vuRmo Fox, Decuibkb Pub 15 A FirLL-VDBBBD Blaox Fox, Dxcbmbbb Fur 15 III. A Rbd Fox Two Hontbb Ou), Showing a Dabx Linb of Blood 24 A Cbobs Fox, Rbd on Sidbs, Nbcx and Eabs, Sbptbmbeb Fub 24 A Dabx biLVBB Fox with a White Patch on Hia Bbxabt 24 A Black Femaix in Octobxb 24 IV. A Matbd Paib, vbrt Dabx Siltxb Male and Half Silver Female, OcTOBEB Fub 3I Pen in the Maple Woods — Sunnt in Winteu and Shaded in Summer 31 V. The Best Location for a Ranch is a Woodlot 33 VI. • Detail of Fence Construction with Sheet Iron 35 Detail of Fence CoNSTRUonoN, Many Breeders Prefer an Allet Subboundino each Pen 35 VII. Usual Type of Kennel and Pen 40 Cheap Kennel Constructed from a Packing Box 40 VIII. Floor Plan and Vertical Section of a Fox Kennel 4*^: IX. Types of Fox Ranches 44 X. Fox Kittens Two Weeks Old 47 A THRXE-auARTERS Black Fox Badly Frightened 47 Keeping Watch on the Strangers 47 A Nobtk Shore (Que.) Fox in August 47 XI. Polar Fox (White) Ranched in Russia 66 A Russian Red Fox 66 XII. Karakul Lambs, Three Days and Eight Days Old, Respec- tively gl XIII. Karakul Bam 85 Full-blood, Coarse-wool Karakul Ewes and Lambs at Foot 85 XIV. Floor Plan of Minkery 93 XV. Mink Ranch at Lac Chaud gg Mink's Den, Artificial 95 XVI. A Successful Mink Ranch 96 XVII. Mink Sitting on His House loO OlTER 100 XVIII. Beaver 106 LrvB Skunk, Long Str'ped 106 XIX. Stretching Boards and Traps 119 XX. A Collection r ? 34 Wild Silver Fox Skins 132 XXI. T. R. H. Duke of Connauoht anc Princess Patricia at St. Patrick Ranch I37 MAPS I. Range of the North American Red Foxes in Canada 20 II. Range of Raccoons in Canada $9 ni. Range of Minks in Canada 90 IV. Range of American Martens ln Canada 93 V. Range of Skunks in Canada 104 VI. Range of Mubkrats in Canada no VII. Range op the American Beaver in Canada 112 viii Preface to Second Edition Rapid progress has marked the fur-farming industry since the publi- cation of the Commission's first report on the subject a year ago. From all parts of Canada requests have been received for information and for copies of the report. To meet this demand it was deened advisable to issue a revised and enlarged edition, so as to make the report as up- to-date as possible. Assistance in the preparation of the original report, as well ae the revision, has been received from various sources, many of which it is impossible to acknowledge here. It seems fitting, however, that special mention should be made of the courtesy and assistance rendered by Mr. Ernest Thompson Scton for helpful suggestions, as well as for permission to reproduce from his "Life Histories of Northern Animals," the maps showing the ranges in Canada of the Red Fox, Raccoon, Mmk, American Marten, Skunk, Mu; u-at, and Beaver. Valuable statistics of fur production and sales were furnished by the Hudson's Bay Co., through the office of the Canadian High Commissioner, by Messrs. C. M. Lampson & Co., Messrs. A. and W. Nesbitt, Mr. Emil Brass, Mr. J. D. Whelpley and others. Messrs. Henry and Ernest Poland, of P. R. Poland & Sons, London, England, courteously revised a number of tables of statistics, in addition to providing considerable new material. Mr. R. H. Campbell supplied a short article on the Reindeer, Mr. .Johann Beetz on the conservation of game in Quebec, and reports of the Ameri- can Breeders' Association, and the Fur News Magazine have been freely quoted. Mention should also be made of the kindness shown by Provincial game authorities and others who furnished the names and p ' presses of fur farmers and fur-farming companies given in Appendix XI. I i Sitting on the Box in Which He Made a Railway Journey September Fur dBi FUR'FARMING IN CANADA I. Introduction UR-BARMINd is a new industry in Canada, Imt its dovolopment has been rapid. A particular investi- gation conducted in the latter half of 1912 and further inquiries made during 1013 revealed numerous instances where animals of various species wore h'iing bred in captivity for their fur. Foxes of two species and of all colour varieties, skunk, mink, raccoon, fisher, beaver and muskrat were foimd upon fur-farmw. The marten and otter are likewise being domesticated for their fur. During t'.o past two years the number of fur-farms has multiplied exceedingly. In the province of Prince Edward Island, which may bo considered the centre from which the fur-farming interest has chiefly radiated, probably six hundred ranches exist where one species Oi- another is kept in confinement. In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfound- land the industry is extending with great rapidity and at this date — November, 1913 — practically every trapper is trying to capture foxes, mink, marten, otter and skunk for purposes of domestication. A great and rapidly extending interest is manifested in Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada and the New England states. Russia has realized her advantageous position for the prosecution of this industry and has passed an enactment prohibiting the export of her karakule sheep. An extensive development of sable, silver and polar fox farms is also taking place in that country. The great interest manifested in fur-farming is to be ascribed to the remarkable success attained in breeding silver and other colour phases of the fox common to Eastern Canada. The black and dark silver prime skins from foxes produced on Prince Edward Island ranches have rarely brought less than $500.00 each, and frequently bring over $2,000.00 at London auction sales. The pioneer fox breeders have acquired wealth in the business and their success has inspired their neigh oours to engage in a similar line of work. Naturally the price of breeding stock, responding to the increased demand, has risen to many times the fur value, so that the ownership of even a pair of silver foxes is impossible to the average farmer. COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION ll! Ill i Corpor»tioM uid partnership* with » total capitaliiation of •10,000,000 or 112,000,000 bav« been Mtabliahed for farming the ailver fox. A large proportion of the inhabitants of Prince Edward Island and a smaller proportion of those of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have invested their money, sometimes even mortgaging their property, to buy stock in these enterprises. Others have attempted to breed fur- bearing animals which require less capital for foundation stock. Thus, ir i012 and 1913, upwards of 6,000 red and 1,000 cross or patch foxet were captured and made inmates of ranches in Eastern Canada. Probably more than 1,000 animals of various other species fared similarly. The industry has Hpread into Russia, where fur- bearing animals such as the Russian sable and the polar and the silver fox are now extensively farmed. Sables from the vicinity of Irkutsk and karakide sheep from Bokhara have, at (,reat expense to the im- porters, been brought to America. The great enthusiasm for fur-farming in Eastern Canada has r^ suited in high prices for breeding animals and seems to have created in the popular mind the improesion that the soil and the climatic con- ditions of that region are favourable to the production of the best fur. It is true that splendid fox and mink are produced there, but it should not necessarily be assumed that polar fox, Labrador marten and Russian sable will thrive and fur up as well as in their own habitat. But, what- ever the outcome of these experiments, the fact is that the reputed skOI of its fur-farmers in caring for the animals has led to a centralisa- tion of the fur-pro<^ncing industry on Prince Edward Island. It ia probably true thai, it least 85 per cent of the silver foxes in captivity are to be found in the Island province. The high .orices for furs prevailing during recent years explain why fur-farming has made 'mch rapid progress in such a short time. This is particularly true of the black fox industry. The fur-value of a high-grade prime black fox skin ranges from about $500 to about $2,500; but the demand for breeding animals has been so great that the price has risen to $35,000 a pair for the best quality of breeding stock. Moreover, the promoter has entered the field and companies are being floated whose capitalizations are based on these high prices for pelts and on very rosy expectations of profits. It cannot be predicted with certainty what the price will be when even a few thousand more skins are marketed yearly. The price will certainly decline eventually in conformity with the increase in supply, but will probably always remain high on accoimt of the fur'- -jxtreme beauty. Although there is ample basis for a soimd indust fox-farming, it is necessary that the general public should realize i..a., t»ie industry is a highly speculative one, and that the individual who puts his money in companies capital- Firn-FARMivn ix cakaoa izod at from five to ten times the fur vuluo uf the ftnimala Hiumai » great riak. Since the fur-farming induMtry i^ lo intimately connected with the preaent high prices of furs, it will be worth while to enquire into the causes of those high prices and ondoavour to forecast to what extent they will continue to operate. Demand and Supply Inertaiinc ^^uted in gen'jral terms, fur has become scarce because loss Dmand for is produced and more is used than evur before. The reinark- • able increase in the demand for costly furs in the past twenty years is due to a combination of causes. Tliu pot>ulation is growing. The relative number of people in the wealthy classes is increasing. The habits of travelling extensively and of living in metropolitan centres ore rapidly increasing. Commerce and more efficient salesmanship have introduced furs al' over the world, so that their admirers and users are multiplied. Dame Fashion, whose influence is predominant every- where, is responsible for a very heavy domand for certain kirds, and only the best and scarctvt are in high favour with her. Then, too, our growing cities, which multiply the opportunities for gatherings and coiicduraes, especially of the well-to-do clossits, engender competitive habits in choosing personal adornments. The growiri; use of the automobile and the more general habit of living out-of-doors have made furs almost a necessity. In America alone, the valuation of automobiles is now about $2,000,000,000, and a proper equipment for the luxurious vehicles and their occupants necessitates the use of many millions of dollars worth of furs and luather. Better roads, more extensive travel, and cheaper automobiles are im- portant factors in determining the growing demands for fur and polts generally. LMtaninK ^^ ^^^ keenness of the hunt is maintained, some species of Supply animals must soon be exterminated. When dead-falls, snares 01 Fur ^jjij ^jjg y^^ ^jjjj jj,.j.Q^ were used in hunting there was a chance for the game to escape; but with modern guns, smokeless powder, improved traps and the most alluring baits and scents that modem chemists can compound or trappers can invent, there are fewer oppor- tunities. Coupled with mcreiused efficiency of destructive gear is the general diffusion by railways, steamship lines and hunting and trapping magazines, of knowledge respecting game resorts and the hunter's art. Railwajrs and steamship lines are tapping new territory, corps of guides are organized, canned food and better camping equipment make the COMMI»»HION or rONHKRVATIOjr ; j hunter's life more enjoyable, and iw a rettult, the uttermoat sanc- tuaries of the fur-bearers are invaded. Their last retreats ha> a been made and they must now slowly diminish in numbers year by year. The musk-ox, for instance, has figured in the London sales only for the past forty years because, prior to that time, Arctic hunters were unable to roach its habitat. Continued invasion of its territory may lead to its extinction. The usual method employed to prevent the complete extinction of a species is to establish a close season. Recently, a close season of three years was declared for the Russian sable to allow it to recuperjite in nujnbers in Siberia. The chinchilla has similar protection in Bolivia, and the Canadian beaver is frequently protected in a similar way. Perhaps the most concerted effort on the part of nations to prevent the extinction of a species by establishing a close season is to be found in the case of the Alaska fur-seal. In July, 1911, the United States, vjreat Britain, Russia and Japan entered into a treaty whi.^h provide* for the prohibition of pelagic or open sea sealing for a poriod of fifteen years. In the same year the United States enacted a pro- vision prohibiting land-killing of seals on the Pribilof islands for a period of ten years. The general decrease in the number of fur-bearers during the past twenty years indicates how ineffectual are the preventive methods employed. The ever-expanding areas of human settlements have l>***Tvctiin j,m,ggd gome kinds of fur-bearers to retreat farther into the woods. The clearing away of the forests and the grazing of the natural covers by domestic animals have destroyed their haunts and exposed thom to their enemies. Draining swampy areas has destroyed the homes of the muskrat or musquash, the mink, the otter and the beaver. The fisher and the marten never seem to exist long near man's habitation. Even the fox, which appears to increase near human settlements, will decrease if the forests are wholly removed or burr id. f 1 ! t FUR-FAHMING IN CANADA OBCRBASING NUM8BR OP PELTS SuUtmnl, batmi o*i th» Lomlon SaUt of C. M. Ump»on Jt Cj. By 4(M A'roMr, .\mi> York) Kind or Akih DCCHEAM IS NUMHKM, I'CltCaNTAOB lH02-t(K)l over 1».H2-1W)1 ltX)3-l(«lt over 's«t2-imH 1899-1011 over 1882-1891 Fox, silver " croM " red " blue " whit<4 Mkrtcn, pin«>. . . Flxher or pekan . Mink Skunk MuKkmt Lynx (Htor, laml •" lieu t IncruuKi' 10 45 5U A 65 70 &3 3 55 34t 40 33 75()t 35 5 lot eat 55 30 51 05 95 7St 55 30 30t Mt not 2S0t lU 31 5t 3800t 80 70Ot 45t 30 5t 65 .W) 85 INCRRASING PRICES OF PELTS (Statement baud on the London Salei o/C. M. Lampeon A- Co. B'j Alfred Fraier, \ew York) Inckkam in Priced, F RCTtNTAQB Kind op Skin 1892-1<.»01 over 1882-1891 li)02-l'Jll over 1802-1901 1803-1911 over 18«2-1891 155 10 «5 20* 120 47tt »)() 20 25 30* 110 .55 100 h't 145 100 15 430 150 110 230 130 170 65 300 125 " red 245 " blue " whifo ... • ■ I'H) 350 580 Fisher or nokan 430 Mink.... . 3(K) Skunk 1.50 Muskriit Lynx ... 230 2(H} Otter, land " sea 80 240 • Decrease Notes. — 1. The increase in the price of pells during tlie past twenty years has been general averaginK about 25 per cent for th^"PP'y ''"^ »" increasing demand, the fur trade has sought to prevent high prices by popular- izing the use of furs which were formerly considered of slight value. A large '^art of this work now devolves on the fur-dressers and dyers who can render stiff pelts mo'-e supple and change the colour of the fur to resemble that of other more valuable animals. The use of furs pro- FUR-FARMING IN CANADA duced under domestic conditions has also been enormously extended. Ponies, kids, lambs and even pups are killed in large numbers to supply a the increasing demands for fur. The great vogue of Russian lamb ^ skins of which about three millions are used yearly, emphasizes the importance of achieving production of fur from domestic animals. The costly baby lamb or broadtail, the Persian lamb, the astrakhan and krimmer furs are the skins of the karakule sheep. The various names have been supplied by the furriers and have no geographical significance at the present time. If the marten and mink had been if domesticated a score or more years ago, they might now be supplying fur in the same way as the karakule sheep, and, with the modern addi- tion of the fox, would have served as a counterpoise in Canada to the monopoly now enjoyed by Russia — particularly Bokhara — in the pro- duction of domestic fur. When the perennially fashionable sable, ermine, chinchilla and silver fox did not supply the demand, the Persians, broadtail and seal became more costly. Gradually, too, from its ple- beian rank of coat-lining at fifty cents a skin, mink was adopted into the select family of valuable furs, closely preceded by marten and, latterly, followed by fisher and cross fox. To take the place of mink as a coat-lining, muskrat or musquash was chosen, sharing this promo- tion with the less valuable marmot and hamster of Europe. To supply the demand for a medium-priced black fur of beauty, a common animal, the skunk, has been chosen and named Alaska sable. The black domestic cat, known to the trade as 'genet,' is also utilized to meet the demand for black furs, while northern hares and conies are extensively manufactured into 'Baltic fox' or 'white fox' or 'black lynx' or 'electric seal.' When the fur dressers and dyers produced a clipped and Furs'""'* dyed muskrat skin that resembled sealskin almost perfectly, it was found that it would not sell under its real name be- cause it was a comoion fur, used largely by the poorer classes. Conse- quently a name was invented for it and this popular and high-priced fur is now sold as 'Hudson Bay seal'. The fur of the coney, a very cheap and common animal in France, is the raw product in producing 'electric sealskin', 'clipped seal' and 'Baltic seal'. Raccoon, when first introduced, was cheap and was in little demand, but when given the name 'Alaska bear' and 'silver bear' it immediately came into favour. Skunk, which is an excellent fur of a dark hue, though beau- tiful and durable, could not be sold as skunk, but, as 'black marten', and 'Alaska sable', it is in high favour and likely to remain in the class of the medium and higher priced furs. It is worth remarking that, since the prejudice against the muskrat, skunk and other cheap furs has been COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION overcome, they can be sold under their real names. Muskrat backs are now sold as 'rat' fur at almost as high figures as the dyed product. Imitations and Misnaming The pressure of increasing demand has brought into common use the fur of animals with har.sh, brittle hair of any colour, which is sold under names which mislead thfi unwary public. Thus, the pelts of animals from the warmer zones .such as Chinese goat, Thibet lamb, Manchurian dog, hamster, marmot, Tartar pony, opossum, raccoon, weasel, jackal fox, monkey, antelope, otter and many others are now worked up by dressers and dyers into very respectable-looking furs. They are inferior, however, to the furs from colder climates in suppleness of leather, closeness of underwool, fullnes.s of overhair and silkiness of hair and, because they are dyed, they are less durable and loss prized. ii . The misnaming of furs has caused the London Chamber Deceptions "° °^ Commerce to give notice that misleading terms are not to be used and that offenders are liable to prosecu- tion under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887. Even in the early days when misnaming was in its infancy, the manufactured furs were fre- quently misnamed as follows: Muskrat or nmsquash, pulled and dye-! Seal Nutria, pulled and dj'od Seal Nutria, pulled and natural Beaver Rabbit, sheared and dyed Seal Otter, pulled and dyed. . Seal Marmot, dyed Mink or sable Fitch, dyed Sable Rabbit, dyed Sable or French sable Hare, dyed Sable, fox or lynx Muskrut, dyed Mink or sable Wallaby, dyed Skunk White rabbit Ermine White rabbit, dyoii Chinchilla White hare, dyed or natural Fox, foxaline Goat, dyed Bear or leopard But, if laws were necessary twenty-five years ago to protect the public from fi-auds, what must be the necessity at the present time, when two hares reared by the same mother may pose on tlie same counter as 'white fox' and 'black lynx', respectively? The following is a list of common misdescriptions: FUR-FARMING IN CANADA Varmtt Sold American .able R^) Rusdan sable Fitch, dyed ^able Goat, dyed Bear Harp lived Hahle or fox Hare.uyea Lamb or broadtaU Maraot; dyed. Mink, ^ble or skunk Mink, dyed • • • Sable K=S,»»tt. ::::::: :S=E"^.. «- -' - « Nutria, pulled and dyed Seal, electric seal, Red River seal or ' '^ Hudson Bay seal Nutria, puUed, natural Beaver and otter Opossum, sheared and dyed Beaver Rlbbrtd"'' '^""' : ; : : : : iable or French sable Rabbit; &d and dyed. Seal, electric seal. Red River seal, Hudson ' Bay seal and seal musquash Rabbit, white S[?^*„ Rabbit, white, dyed ^u"nk^ wwte'^ire^*^ .:;::;:::.::::;;;;;::: Fox^ana other similar names Dved furs of an kinds . Natural White hairs inserted in foxes and sables. .Ucal or natural furs The following list has been published iiy the London Chamber of Commerce as permissible descriptions: N\ME OF FtJK Permissible Description American sable Canadian sable or real sable Fitch, dyed Sable fitch Goat, dyed F*'^'' 1°** , i Hare, dyed t^^'K *'?''*', °5 ^'"^ ^^ Ki ja Karakule kids Mannot dyed. ... Sable marmot, mink marmot or skunk ' marmot Mink, dyed ^ ■ -^ Sable mink Musquash (muskrat), pulled and dyed Seal musquash Nutna, pulled and dyed Seal nutna Nutria, pulled, natural Beaver nutna or otter nutna Opossum, sheared and dyed Beaver opossum Otter, pulled and dyed Seal otter Rabbit dyed Sable coney Rabbit! sheared and dyed Seal coney or musquash coney Rabbit, white Mock ermme Rabbit, white, dyed Chmdulla coney Wallaby, sheared and dyed Skunk wallaby \\'hite hare Imitation fox or mock fox A^^lite hairs inserted in foxes or sables Pointed fox or sable Roliable furriers, however, do not use the misdescriptive Frauds in ^j^jj^^g mentioned above. Many of the smaller furriers are Selling urs ^^^^^^j^^^ ignorant of the real names of their stock; but cheap advertisers are frequently guilty of misnaming. Many adver- tisers giving private addresses mislead the public; when a lady who is 'going South' offers her 'new S150 Russian Ijtix set for ?2.'i', the con- clusion may readily be reached that it is 'doctored' rabbit. However, fl 1> 11 10 coMMisaioy of conskrvation the enterprise of furriere should not be wholly discouraged, as, other- wise, owing to the scarcity of really good fur, many ladies would have to appear in worsted scarfs and mitts for six months of the year. The pride they take in their 'ermines', 'foxes', 'minks' and 'chinchillas' and in their bargain 'fishers' and black 'marten' would probably be diminished if they knew they were only 'doctored' rabbit, marmot, opossum and wallaby. Hunter-tra ^^ .*^^ artifices of the fur-dressers and dyers in pre- Age Passing'**' paring the skins and of the furriers and jobbers in supplying fancy names for inferior stock have failed to compensate for the decreasing supply of fur of good quality. It is quite possible uhat the supply of all domestic animal skins like rabbit, lamb, and kid can be indefinitely and rapidly increased to the limit of demand, but it is not possible under present methods of breeding, to secure an increasing supply of really good fur such as comes fror. the carnivorous animals— notably the muslelidm or weasel family— unless they are domesticated. This one fact stands out prominently: the uunting and trapping of wild fur-bearirg animals must be supple- mented by iheir domestication if the demand for furs is to be satisfied. h ii i ' ■ The hunter-trapper age has passed its zenith. With the demand exceeding the possible supply, more economical methods must be intro- duced and the supply must be increased. The tearing up of trapped animals by carnivorous mammals before the trapper can reach the traps is common and represents a great loss. The killing of animals whose pelts are not in prime condition represents a large annual loss of val- uable fur. These and other wastes are eliminated when fur-bearers are domesticated. Cruelty of Trapping Apart from economic considerations the cruelty involved in trapping wild animals affords a powerful argument against the continuation of the practice. Trapping is notoriously cruel and tends to destroy the finer feelings of those engaged in the business. Trappers visit their lines only two or three times a week, and in the inter\'al the captured animals, in most ;ases suffering excruciating pain, are exposed to frost, hunger, their natural enemies and, finally, their arch-enemy— man. Elliott Coues in his monograph on the North American mutlelidce, aptly desc-ibes the actions of a mink when caught in a trap: "The tenacity of life of the mink is something remarkable. It ^ FUR-FARMING IN CANADA 11 lives for many hours— in cases I have known, for more than a day and night— under the pressure of a heavy log, sufficient to hold it like a vice and when the middle of the body was pressed perfectly flat. Nay, under one such circumstance which I recall, the animal showed good fight on approach. When caught by the leg in a steel trap, the mink usually gnaws and tears the captive member, sometimes laceratmg it m a manner painful to witness; but, singular to say, it bites the part beyond the jaws of the trap . . . The violence and persistence of the poor, tortured animal endeavouring to escape are witnessed in the frequent breaking of its teeth against the iron— this is the rule rather than the exception. One who has not taken the mink in a steel trap can scarcely form an idea of the terrible expression the animal's face assumes as the captor approaches. It has always struck me as the most nearly diabolical of anything in animal physiognomy. A suUen stare from the crouched, motionless form gives way to a new look of surprise and fear accompanied by the most violent contortions of the body, with renewed champing of the iron, tUl, breathless, with heavmg flanks, and open mouth dribbling saliva, the animal settles agam, and watches with a look of concentrated hatred, mingled with impotent rage and frightful despair." When it is remembered that mUlions of animals are captured yearly in traps the sum total of their sufferings must be so great that tlie cruelty practiced on dumb domestic creatures, which so greatly concerns the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, must seem slight in comparison. The methods of killing domestic animals are humane and painless, and it would seem that humane considera- tions alone present a sufficient argument for the domestication of fur- bearing animals. The first step towards .aising animals for their fur was Domestic taken years ago when karakule sheep— a domestic animal Fur-bearers ^^^^ ^^.^^^ ^^^ Persian lamb and broadtail are obtained— began to be bred for its pelt. Up to recent years this animal was the only example of a valuable fur-beaver in captivity. It is a domestic animal merely, but, because of the difficulties in travelling, in langua?-;, in religious prejudices of the people who breed them, in knowledge of good stock, in quarantine laws and in remoteness of the district in which they flourish, it has been very difficult to secure specimens for breeding purposes. Latterly, exceedingly optimistic reports of suc- cess in karakule 'crosses' in the United States have been reported. If the Persian lamb can be economically produced in America, millions of dollars will be saved annually, as the use of this lasting and hand- some fur is increasing steadily. That the business is regarded in 13 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION J i ' ! Russia as an important one, is indicated by the calling of a convention of breeders at Moscow in October, 1912, at the special request of theCzar. As a possible source of future fur supply, the karakule crossed with lustrous wooUed sheep like Lincolns and Cotswolds appears to be one of the most promising. Experiments made recently have produced lamb skins of magnificent gloss and curl. Because, however, of a recently-enacted prohibition of export of fur-bearing sheep, from Bokhara and Russia, it is feared that the animals already brought to America cannot be augmented in number by new blood from Asia, Enough sheep have been imported to prove the practicability of pro- ducing on this continent the best grades of Persian lamb fur, and, if too much in-breeding can be avoided, it is possible that the industry may become established. Domesticatin ^*^P'*® *^^ progress that has been made in breeding Fur-l»e«rer»"'*' karakule sheep, it must be acknowledged that domestica- tion of fur-bearing animals has, thus far, failed to supply the demand for pelts which are highly valued for fur. The increasing demand and the ever-decreasing supply of desirable fur pelts is pro- ducing a state of trade that would be alarming were it not for the possi- bilities of domesticating and breeding other fur-bearers. The time has come when, on account of the high range of prices, every effort should be made to domesticate all wild fur-bearing animals of consid- erable value. There is a broad field for activity in this direction. According to Lantz' estimate, there are about five thousand species of mammals at present inhabiting the earth. About twenty-three of these are in a state of domestication, serving man as beasts of burden or furnishing food, clothing, or companionship. The hoofed animals (ungulata) comp'ise: The iVsiatic elephant, horse, ass, hog, camel, dromedary, rein- deer, goat, sheep, yak, buffalo (two species), ox (two species), and llama (possibly four species). The flesh-eating animals (carnivora) compribe: The cat, dog, ferret and cheetah or hunting leopard of India. The rodent animals (rodentia) comprise: The rabbit and the guinea pig. The Arctic fox {vulpcs lagopus) and the common fox {vulpes vulpes) may be classed as domestic, as for twenty years tliuy have been nurtured under man's care, and the rising prices of fur will probably make the FUR-FARMINC. IN CANADA 13 induBtry permanent. The marten « «aid to have been d"me«t cated by the Romans and even to^ay the mink i« Bomet.me« crossed w^h the domestic ferret to produce a more desirable disposition m the off- spring. ORDERS OF WILD CANADIAN MAMMALS AND THEIR ECONOMIC USES THREE 1 Order 1 1 Family Species Parts of Economic Use — 1 _ 1 1 j.-llt Flesh, hide, trophies Hoofed Animals Deer (hoofed; large) Deer ^ Moose " « Caribou Cattle Bi8on(Buffalo) Rodent (no canine teeth; 4 \ incisors only, ex- Squirrel Squirrel Chipmunk Woodchuck Pelt, Hesh Pelt cept in rabbit) Beaver Canadian Beaver Pelt, flesh, castors Mouse Mice Voles Lemming Muskrat Pelt, flesh Hare Hare Flesh, pelt, hair Carnivora (12 incisor^; 4 Inrgi canines; shearinj Cat (1 Lynx Cat (domestic Wild cat Pelt premolars) Dog (1 Fox Wolf •• U Coyote " Weasel Otter (mustelida) 1 1 " Weasel ■ .. Mink " « Marten ' "^ Fisher a Wolverene It Skunk Pelt, oil and galls u BR.ger Pelt, hair Raccoon Raccoon Pelt, flesh Bear Bear Pelt. Aesh Seal Fur-seal | Pelt, oil, flesh Haip-seal | Pelt, oU — ~— ■ ii 1:1 II 14 jCpMMISSIOy OF COWHFPV4>rTf^^ recuperate in numbers. The ailver fox »nH k.k i *° P*"™'* *'"«™ *« uously experimented with. The Aliuka «,.i T i *™ "^"^K "tren- encouragement of the domestic production of fur Ai^ «^* * * conducted ..ihiktr '" ^""'"f » C«»<1», «P»rime„M .hould b, proceeamg on an mcreasmelv larea hphIa onJ «„ j u^ • regarding the possibUity ofYoiXttg it '* '"^*^ °°" A Full-furred Fox Deccmbcr Fur i ■- m ■■:- A Full-furred Black Fox. December Fur II. Early An«mpn to Domesticate the Fox IT would be futile to record all the early attempts to rear foxes in captivity and note has, therefore, been made o' the experiences of only a few breeders at widely separated points. Tlie exptirimenters, in mobt cases, were wholly unacquainted with the experience of others. It has been customary for trapper-farmers to keep aliv , foxee caught in warm weather until the fur is prime. Thus, young foxee captured in July are kept until December before being killed. The earliest authentic record obtained of producmg young from foxes kept in captivity on Prince Edward Island, comes from Tignish, whore Benjamin Haywood reared several litters some thirty-fivo years ago; but they wore destroyed by the parent foxes because they wore not kept in seclusion and quiet. Doubtless there had been, in earlier years, numerous cases that were as successful as Mr. Haywood's, but it is interesting to record this experiment because he was a near neighbour of the men who finally achieved the greatest success in the commercial fox-breeding industry. Several furriers in Quebec have been connected with breeding experiments. Messrs. Paquet Bros, had a small ranch at one time at St. Joseph-d'Alma near the head of the Saguenay, which they finally sold. Revillon Frferes were interested in a ranch on the north shore of the gulf of St. Lawrence a dozen years ago, but finally abandoned the experiment believing that fox raising was destined to fail. Holt, Renfrew & Co. have a ranch near Quebec the foundation stock of which was a litter of silver foxes from pair of exhibition foxes in their me- nagerie at Montmorency Falls. In Ontario, Rev. George Clark, of St. Catharines, an experienced breeder of pheasants, bred a litter of reds from a pet pair of wild foxes in 1905. Two ranches were started about 1906, near North Sydney, and on the Lingan road near Sydney, N.S., respectively; but, after several years, they failed to maintain the foxes in breeding condition. These were later sold to Bruce, Cummings, McConnell, and others, who have proved to be successful ranchers. Excellent success in breeding the fox has been achieved by Ere'd'rt ^^- Jo^*^ Beetz, at Piastre Baie, Noiih shore, gulf of St. Lawrence, and Mr. T. L. Burrowman, of Wyommg, Ontario. The former is the scion of a wealthy Brussels family, and his roving spirit led him to Labrador and Alaska on hunting expeditions. He finally settled at Piastre Baie, about 1898, and attempted fox ranching with a pair of silver foxes brought from Alaska. There were trees at I« COMMIgJIO: or CON8ERVATIOK wvoral pointM in the noighlx.urhmHj, and at Rome ten or twelve wooded •poU, a hundred or more roda from hi* dwelling, he kept his pom, having two fomuiw. and one iimic at euch point. Ho adopted the ayatem of double mating. Urge i: fn > his uncle, Robert Tuplin. Other neigh- bours were able ' a ■; ure sto c at various points, and as the years went by purchased fr*. ' . .der ranchmen, an animal or two for crossing. In this manner Silas Rayner, Harry Lewis and John Champion started their ranches. A large number of neighbours secured red and cross foxes and began breeding them for the purpose of per- fecting themselves in the art of rearing the silver foxes which, in after years, they were able to obtain. By the year 1909, a dozen or more farmers in the vicinity of Alberton, P.E.I., were engaged in fox-farming. Two ranches were in operation near Summerside, P.E.I., several in Maine, two in Ontario and one in Quebec. Selling foundation stock became general in the lollowing year and enhanced prices for breeders soon put a stop to the slaughter of animals for fur, the last sales of pelts being recorded in 1910 of animals slaughtered in 1909. Since that time only the pelts of old, accidentally killed, and diseased animals have been marketed. Causes of Early Failure Most of the early attempts to rear foxes failed because: 1. No good fencing material, such as the woven wire used at the present time, was available. 2. Warm, dry quarters for the young litters were not pro- vided, the principle of having a small well-insulated nest which would be sufficiently warmed by the mother's body heat not being recognized sufficiently. 3. The monogamous nature of foxes was not recognized and being quartered in one pen in large numbers, the young were killed. 4. The price of fur was not high enough to induce breeders to risk large amounts of capital in experiments, and those who had the aptitude for the business usually possessed but little capital. I The rising prices of fur in the "nineties," the availability of woven wire fencing material, and the invention of a suitable nest and the persistence of men like Oulton, Gordon, Dalton, Beetz and Burrowman are responsible for the successful methods of ranching evolved. General details of feeding and management are still kept from the public and new ranchmen frequently pay considerable sums of money to older ranch- men for advice which, they, in turn, seek to retail to others. Other ex^ .jnced ranchmen demand large salaries for their services as care- takers. A large proportion of the newer ranchmen have been less iriuccessful than the older and more experienced, for it is obvious that FUR-FARMINC. IN CANADA 19 the care and feeding of a wild animal in confinement is much more difiScult than feeding and attending domestic animals. Yet results have been such that stringency in the money market and failures to rear any young whatsoever in some ranches, does not prevent an increasmg enthusiasm for investment in the industry. The price of a pair of five months' old silver fox n'.os of tl ? best Prince Edward Island stock has risen as follows: September, 1909 $3,000 September, 1910 4,000 September, 1911 6,000 September, 1912 10,000 September, 1913 16,000 The price of old, proved breeders is more variable. Usually few are sold as it is considered somewhat unsafe to remove them from the pens in which they have bred. When old stock of proved fecundity are sold they fetch from $25,000 to $35,000 per pair. III. Manual of Fur'farming COMMON RED FOX 'T'HE fox ia found on every continent and comprises a number of 1 species. The common red fox, which exists in the greatest num- bers, has a range which "extends across Europe and northern and central Asia to Japan, while, to the south, it embraces northern Africa and Arabia, Persia, Baluchistan and the northwestern districts of India and the Himalayas." In North America, its range extends south to Virginia and includes all Canada (except some northern regions), and the northeasternmost portion of the United States. Its wide geo- graphical range accounts for many distmct local phases or geographical varieties. These phases, or sub-species, differ from one another in form, in size and, to some extent, in colouring; but the differences are often not apparent to the untrained observer. It is easy to distinguish the four species of foxes commonly seen in America, viz., the common red with its white tipped tail, the arctic or polar fox with its short ears and blue or white pelt, the kit-fox with its black tail and small size, and the gray fox with its gray and red colour and erectile hairs down the taU; but it is more difficult to distinguish the sub-species of the common red fox. The popular classification is by colour, as follows: Common Red Fox (Vulpes), found in some districts in stvoral colours, viz.: Red Fox— ^\ hen red or yellow over sides and back. Silver Fox — Wh"n no red is present. Cro^K or Patch Fox— Whoa the sid< s and neck are red and tho back, shoulders and hips are silver. .\n intermediate l)etween silver and red. The red. .■■ilvpr and cross fo.v;es are not distinct sptcies and not even distinct bn>e