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MONDAY, FEBRUARY, 17, 1919
THE NEW INDUSTRY OF FUR FARMING
(From the Review of Reviews)
Farming for furs, not only foxes, but of various other animals, has
now become a stable and normal occupation, destined to assume largo propor
tions by a process of healthy growth. Just where it now stands is explained
in the American Museum Journal (New York) by Mr. Ned Dearborn, assistant
in the F. S. Biological Survey. Mr. Dearborn is our leading authority on this
subject, and is the author of a Farmer’s Bulletin on "The Domesticated Silver
Fox." published by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in March. 1917.
Some sixty million dollars’ worth of North American furs are market
ed annually in the United States and England. No wonder that the number
of fur bearers is steadily decreasing. Driven farther into the wilderness by
the advance of the farmer, they are followed into almost inaccessible regions
by the trapper, who is urged on by the stimulus of high prices. It is evident,
therefore, that the demand for furs before many years will exceed the supply,
unless this supply can be increased by artificial propagation.
To meet these conditions a new industry is springing up—that of fur
farming, or the raising of fur-bearing animals in captivity. Generally speak
ing. fur-bearing animals are easily domesticated.
Experiments have been carried on for some years, until now success
with at least a few animals is assured, while others are being tested with
good results. About one-half the fur-bearers of North America seem suitable
for domestication, and of these the mink, the skunk, and the silver fox have
been bred successfully in many parts of the United States and Canada. Among
those which have been only partly tested for this purpose are the marten,
fisher, otter, blue fox. raccon. and beaver. Experiments, however, have beeij
sufficiently conclusive in most cases to predict ultimate success with these an
imals also. i
me nisi oi ine wnu lur Bearers to ia? uomesticatea in tnis country
'•'as the mink, whose soft, dark brown fur is one of the most durable as welT
as most beautiful. It is nearly fifty years since a man in Oneida County,
New York, began to breed and sell minks for propagation. In those days it
was a profitable undertaking, the skins being high priced and the live animals
bringing $30 a pair. Later, owing to a ]>eriod of financial depression, the
business became unprofitable and was abandoned. After being almost
forgotten as a money-making industry, it ha* been revived and, where con
ditions have been favorable, has proved more than satisfacto^.' to those
engaged in it.
A fur bearer peculiar to the Western Hemisphere, the finest specimens
being found in the United States, is the skunk. This animal, so commonly
found even in well-settled districts, was first tried for domestication about
thirty years ago. To-day the number of skunk breeders in this country is
greater than that of all the other breeders of fur animals combined. This
pretty animal is easily tamed and, aside from its one objectionable feature,
.be offensive scent glands, which can be removed eaisly, makes quite as pleas
es a pet as a kitten. The trade in skunk furs alone amounts in the United
States to three million dollars a year.
The silver or siver-grey fox. now permanency domesticated, is found
over the greater part of the United States and C -d ». High-grade skins of
this animal are worth from $1000 to $2000 each. Fox ranches are now found
in most of the Canadian provinces and in about fourteen States and Territor
ies of the United States.
Mr. Dearborn sets forth in some detail the conditions of location, man
agement, feeding, etc., which must be fulfilled to ensure success In fur farm-'
ing, and points a few of the improve.nents that already been secured In somei
degree by selective breeding.
Within sixteen years of the time the two pioneer fox breeders of Prince
Edward Island built their ranch they had eliminated the tendency of the sliver
raxes to produce red progeny and were sending to market the finest fox
pelts in the world. As with poultry, horses and other farm animals, so it is
with fur-bearers. Each breeder should strive to perfect hi* stock according
to soma standard.
Rm4 the NUGGET and vet the benefit of THE BEST NEWS SERWT
ea Earth—The Associated Frees
WILSON APPROVES PLAN TO CREATE PRICE ADJUSTMENT BOARD
Special to The Nugget by The Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15—President Wilson hits cabled his approval of
the proposal recently voiced in Congress to establish a governnAsnt price
adjustment board ta assist in stabalizing trade and commercial conditions
and prices during the post war period.
In the view of* the congressmen who are in favor of the proposal, the
creation of such a board will have an immediate effect in reducing the tendency
to maintain the hugely inflated prices obtaining during the war period.
The proposed board would be granted complete power to investigate
production and trade conditions and assist in equalizing prices.
WRECK OF LONG MISSING VESSEL FOUND ON CALIFORNIA COAST
Special to the Nugget by the Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14—The battered wreck of a sailing vessel, be
lieved to have been the bark Helen W. Almy, which foundered during a storm
in May 1908 with a loss of fifty lives while the vessel was enroute to the
Klondyke during the great gold rush, has been discovered bya fishing trawler
at a point about seven and one half miles southeast of Point Reyes, according
to information reaching this city today. z
SHIPPING BOARD REDUCES RAVES TO ORIENT
Special to The Nome Nugget by The Associated Pre.it”.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14—The United States Shipping Hoard has an
nounced a further reduction in the ocean shipping rates between the Pacific
coast and the Orient.
The new rates will be twelve dollars per short ton to a majority of
the Oriental commercial ports. To Vladivostok and other points farther re
moved the rate has been placed at twenty five dollars per short ton.
The new schedule will become, effective on March 1st.
AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN RUSSIA RECEIVE DECORATIONS
Special to The Nome Nugget by The Associated Press.
ARCHANGEL, Russia, Web. 15—(Associated Press Special Leased Wire
and Cable Service)—Four American army officers and ten men of the Ameri
can contingent co-operating with the Allied forces in the Archangel sector
have been decorated for displays of conspicious gallantry in action. The
awards were Avon in the majority of cases during the recent fighting along
Dio Sredmakrenga front.
NOTICE;—CHANGE OF HOURS
Commencing Dec. 1st., 1918 and continuing until furtht - notice,
delivering hours at yards and warehouses will bo as follows;
COAL—GASOLINE—DISTILLATE, ect.
Daily from 1 P. M. to 4 P. M.
CRUDE OIL—(Associated Tanks)
Mondaya-Wsdnoadays—Saturdays—9 A. M. to 4 P. M.
> ALL DEPARTMENTS and OFFICES
Closed bstwson 12 M. and 1 P. M.
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NORTH POLE BAKERY
Bread 15c leaf, two loaves for 25c
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GOLDEN GATE HOTEL
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