-_ .. QFBILQU A3Q¥A_§_._ WN._ .

h“ tiviru mes on TOPl0S ‘F p, coiiiircisu wirii 3'5 Silver Fox and gl

Mink Farming

€ 15>- ..

totalled $20,729,938. and tho im- ports ior the same period added up to $10,244,606. The sale

Canada's furs stimulated by the lowering of duties on manufactur- ed furs to 25 per cent ad valorem; the exclusion of the Canadian sales tax in the assessment of the duty; the raising, under certain conditions, of the duty-free exemp- tions from $100 to $400; the in‘ clusion of piatina and other fox- developed types 1n the general 37 1-2 per cent ad valorem duty; and. by judicial decision, the placing oi these types when ‘un-

v-Bus" Jones has very kindly “med us an article by A.J. Walker. ldeut and Managing Director $011, rwnfrew 6r. Co., Ltd. en- myed Canada Remains In IP01!- mht In International Fur Mar- m __ Canada's strength in the 1m- market - here and abroad — a unyielding and effective. Can- ada's furbearers in their wild habi- m and mo“ propagated on the {grins and ranches are the oblects O1 wise conservation measures. Dupllg the advance of settlement h; other parts oi Canada. the Yu-

Northwest Territories and d, “d. the me us." gm},- horthern areas, extending e on over two mull“ “Wm "W'- ‘°““ "The Canada-U. s. n. provis-

‘ fggefVOlf from which, under “Eh measures oi conservation, a valuable catch may be taken in

‘lonal Prlbllof Seal Pact has been extended indefinitely by the 0X- change oi diplomatic notes until

perpetuity. a. permanent convention is ar- . ranged. Our Minister of Fisheries "on the farms and "Mil" m‘ has invited the two st. Louis and

i foxes (vudous types)

531?? rial- the 1948-49 season is HIIHIBIOd at 115.700. Mid mlnk! (standard and mutation) at 517.- nm_ 1t can be said beyond doubt lint the output of Canadian mink {or this season will at least 8111i!!! m, Ougpuq, of the preceding season. Canada's fur expo!“ 1°’ “m” moiilhs ended September. 1948, l- w, are in s position to buy m." quantities of ungnded In!

London concerns which wt D!”- ent process the 20 per cent of Canadas annual seal lake to cs- tablish branches in this country. South of the Rio Grands, Can- ada's iur exports have made en- couraging progress 1n Mexico Col- ombia, Venezuela. Argentina and Cuba. In this survey of the irri- portailt role which Canada plays in the international empire oi furdom. mention must be made of her exhibits in the Inieriratic-al Fur and Leather Fair held lost Marnh at Basie, Switzerland. Ca-

st the following prloes:-— nada‘5 exhibits oi furs‘ of the ‘ m," A Medium A Pullet highest quality, including ilna ;1 1.1 35 1-2 Z5 platinum foxes and mutation Grade B Gfflllfi C minks, attracted interest that sur-

31 26 passed all expectations. and mar-Y (delivered at our Irnflllll Ill-lull") mgnufagturers and buyers from

we give quick and efficient ucr- many parts of the world expressed

vlcr. Shipments graded and case! h desire to purchase PPIIYS {mm

refurntd lmmedistely- this country as soon as lhcpiecets;

Try our SIIUR-GAIN FEEDS, slfy foreign exchange cou.d c E. J. MACDOUGALL. made available.”

Vernon. l’. E. I

We are pleased indeed to nub-

B A B Y B II I B K S AIIII POULTRY SUPPLIES

NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK YOUR CHICKS. We ore practically booked up for February deliveries, VIII‘ Al"? 9*‘ ceprion of o few lots. We CGIIfIIDWQYBI, make delivery, or yef from MARCH hotches on. As we are hatching, mostly from orders on hand oi dots of settings, we would odvise

booking of oncc.

|. ,5 d‘ I f Chick FEED- ... ",2‘,’.‘.I§§.§‘E'é.§i o-.i’..‘1.“'w.'.’3 ‘Link... srovizs-

Broader Stove PIPE, cfc.

. 'l'h CHICK STARTER. Ifig. .I'§.'..§°."i..°'§§s’r"’_""..’°bli'<:|<s_, FEED and rout- TRY surrurs, we suggcsf that 1w w" Q" i" T°°AY °"" mokc full arrangements for all your requirements.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR COMPLETE CHICK SER-

IIILLIOII anll SPILLETT '

Chick Hatchery, CHARLOTTETOWN, P. E. I. 70 Queen Strut

i BABY CHICKS

NOW is the time to order your Baby Chicks for this cocoon.

RECORDS show March Chicks have ublc in past yours.

OUR U. S. A. market connections are your assurance of satisfactory prlcis 59" Poultry moot In ‘I949. Eggs are always highest from September to December. Only curly hatched Pullers can produce them u! that time.

our new Hatchery i. now prenqred lb glvo you the hlghosl- quality Clucllfi that can bu obtained. Some of our flocks have boon highest winners cl P. E. I. Ex- hibitions for many yours. We can supply all popular brads and cross-broods or the following prices — Pullers 32c: Mixed 17c: Ccckcrols 8c.

Phone 146

that February find been the most profit- Thcy will be this your.

REMEMBER: Our Chicks are" STRONG?

HEALTHY ‘ and STIIRDY. They LIVE. GROW. LAY and PAY. Contact cur office at once.

ISLAIIII GIIIBII IIATBIIERY

lo: m 11 Ring so. Phone no.1 cnarloimown

Mfilflfilll! I

Even for double the price you can't buy. anything better than

- NEWSY

The Kelhfl

The Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk. is about the size of a Robin. and is the only small hawk which has a shade of chestnut-red 1n its tail feathers. Reed truly says that It has "bright colors and odd mark- ings." It ls so handsome and at the same time so evidently harm- less, that It has escaped much of the destruction aimed at Its larger companio Another point in its favor is its ability to adapt Itself to its environment: 1t is equally at home in the pasture lands of the east and the forests of other regions.

The Kestrel feeds principally on mice, large Insects, frogs, and snakes. At time: it attacks birds. and may kill jays, quail, and other birds as large as itself. It may visit towns where sparrows abound. whence the name “Sparrow-hawk." Dr, Taverner, however. thinks that a more appropriate name would be "Grasshopper Hawk.” (And he notes that when taken from the nest young, this little falcon is easily tamed.) Scientists have ex- amined 291 stomachs and found that birds were killed and eaten only in the winter when insects are not available. “It is obvious that the Sparrow Hawk Is beneficial and should be protected."

Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk. AOU 360. Summer Resident-List, 1916. One observed at Alberton, 1937. Adult Male: l-lcad slaly blue, crown rufous; face pattern black and white. Back rufous, with or without black spots or bars. Wings blue gray; tall rufous-red with a wide sub-terminal black band and a narrow white tip. Underparts creamy white to buff, a few black

(.1 Hllit-I A Nl/‘Al-Vlli In

lish the above statement oi Mr. Walker's as he is considered the foremost fur man 1n Canada. Back In the early days of fox farming Holt, Renfrew 6s Co. built a ranch near Quebec City and de- veloped a strain oi splendid sil- vers. They continued their inter- est in silver foxes for many years and back in 1940 bought a ship- ment of 1.700 silver foxes from a ranch in this province. In go- ing through our scrap book the other day we noticed a. picture of Mr. Walker standing and admir- mgly looking over the pelts which were spread around their show room. For years Mr. Walker sent a buyer to P. E‘. I. who paid e!- ccllent, prices and took away many of the best pelts for use 1n manu- facturing iur garments. We trust that in the not too distant future Mr. Walker and the great firm oi Holt. Reilfrew Co, l..td., will again resume featuring sliver fox and mutations.

George H. Mayors. Vice Presi- dent and Manager of Lampson, Fraser 8.: Hut-h. New York, and well known 1o iur farmers here, was the feature speaker at a. re- Cent, two-day short course held In the King Edward Hotel, Toronto. Some sixty fox and mink ranch-

ers were present ML Mayers spots or none. ‘Female: llead and pommd out ma, an w" _ no,’ face like male, back, wings, and Just [ox and mink 5mm _ ware tail rufous, barred black; under-

parts more or less dork brown and streaked. Immature birds resemble adults. Length of adult 10.5 in- chcs.

being sold at a lower level than they were advertised this time last year. He went on to give rea- sons for this and to point out to mink ranchers the pitfalls to avoid and the points to stress 1n the breeding of this beautiful type oi iur-bearers. He said that 1n the United Mink Producers Asso- ciation oi the United States the membership is strictly controlled and their pelts average a high figure.

Nature Notes

A few weeks ago I promised to write more about the lichens. Wiri- ter is a very good time to study them. for then they are at their best to claim our attention on a winter walk. (l suppose we can hardly say ramble!)

The genus Cliulonia is quite at- tractive. for the plant is cup or funnel-shaped and of a pale green, sometimes mealy rouhd the rim These fairy goblefs are seldom more than an inch high. From the rim, In winter. rise the hollow cylindrical fruiting parts, often oi odd shapes, but brilliant scarlet in color. Other Clndonias have these structures in a brown tint. This genus should be looked for on old stumps and decaying wood, and sometimes on swampy ban-ens. The most notable oi the Cla- donlaa is the "Reindeer Lichen,” C. rungiferu. It is a “shruhby" growth, about 4 inches high; the branches are cylindrical, hollow, varying from .5 to 1.5 mm. thick, somewhat "Willy 0|‘ warty, and from ashy white to greenish straw-color. Here and there I have noticed extensive barren: where this was the pre- vailing vegetation, Most of us pass It by without a second look.

One must admit that the plant ls

Ii for any reason the average quality of a ranch slips. that ranch is nut on probation for a year. If quality at the end of the pro- bation period is not improved and the average pelt prices realized up wiih that oi the other mem- bers then the rancher can no longer be a member of the U. M. P. A. ‘The U.M.P.A. label is some- thing sought after in the United States for it denotes fine quality. He said that Canada is producing as good and as poor mink as the United States. but he considered Canadian mink a little scanty in undcrfur and stated that it was very’ important that mink should have a good cushion oi underiur. lie stressed the importance of proper pelllng and particularly the absence of grease on the skins. Hc submitted figures of averages ([11 nzlnlfprices and quantities sold or hreo ears.

y ceived by the Company from the P19540113 Boy Company o1 Lon- don. and 1n 1937 this was further increased t0 I. total oi $53,370.51. In 1938 prices declined and the total net sales amounted to $9908.54. Fmm 1927 to 1938 on four different occasions the Com- pany's polta sold for the highest world prices. 0n one occasion a pelt realized £165. In 1945 four Platinum pelts sold through the" Canadian National Silver Fox Breeders’ Association, realized $220. each on the January sale oi the Canadian Fur Auction Sales O0. Ltd.. Montreal. That was the higihest figure realized for Plat- lnuins in Canada.

Referring to foxes he could not say exactly how many would be produced this year, but he guess- ed there might be 50 to 60 thou- sand in the United States and possibly that many or a few more in Canada. With the cutting down that is taking place in all ranches and the retaining oi better foxes. the average quality was bound to improve. He was of iihs opinion that possibly the fox business has turned the corner and that better limes would be in sight for those who remained 1n it.

The MoLure and MacKinnon Silver Fox Farms, Ll.d., shipped 24 cases of silver and mutation fox pelts to tho Canadian Nation- al siver Fox Breeders‘ Association, Summerslde, on Tuesday. ‘Ilhere was 150 Platinums, 0 Pearl Plat- inums, 98 White Marked and 556 Silvers. The Manager of the Com- pany considered it was one of the best consignments that has ever been sent from the Vimy Ranch. The Vimy Ranch was established in 1919 by LL-Coioneis W. B. Prowse and D. A. MacKlnnon. In 1927 the new company MoLure and MacKinnon silver Pox Farms, Lid. took over the ranch and ad- sels consisting oi f»? acres of land. 125 pairs oi foxes and a similar number of pens, the Hudson's Bay Company controlling a 51 per cent interest. Since then the ranch was enlarged to 600 breeding pairs. u large number of sheds and build- ings constructed, a cold storage plant and every other facility that could make for efficiency added.

looking back over the long re- oord of the company the writer considers that tho years 1990, 1940, 1948 and the present year were tho most difficult. In 1920 the Americans put on a duty of 50 poo cent on pelts and 1B per cent on live foxes, and the London market was not in a position to accept many pelts. It looked like the end of the fox industry but unexpectedly the next and auc- ceeding years buyers arrived from the United States and later from Norway, arid a live sales boom was on. Just what will be the outcome of the present situation no one can tell but the breeding foxes at Vimy Ranch have been steadily reduced in ‘ the past three years. Because of- the large investment in plant, which totals considerably over $100,000, it was not thought wise to pelt off the entro herd but rather to oon- tlnuo in the hope that silver fox will be in favor again on a pay- ing basis by 1951.

In 1938 the Hudson's Buy Com- pany sold their interest. cor-roen- trating their fur farming endeav- ors 1n a large new ranch near Winnipeg. The McL. and McK. company ceased selling live foxes in 1931 and expanded production. In 1934. 1.711 pups were born and of lhese 1.529 were raised ‘to ms- turlty. The average production oer female over s six-year period from 1991-1937 was three to the female. The total amoun‘ received from lh sale of live foxes from 1931 to 1940 was 01,000. for eleven foxes and during the some period 67 live foxes were purchased for improving the breed for N243- During i-he len years 1931-1940 in- clusive. 939539447 net was realis- ed from the sale of sliver fox pelts raised on the ranch.

From 1901 to 1939 practically all there polls were shipped to the Hudson's Bu? Comosnv, Landon.

A legion of friends will regret the absence from duty of Mr. Thomas R. Oarruthers. Secretary- Treasurcr of the Canadian Na- tional 110x Breeders Association. Tom contracted bronchitis two weeks ago and hasn't succeeded

1n overcoming it yet. During the many years he has been with C. N’. B. B. Ass'n., 1932 to tho pres- ent, this is the first time we can recall when he was not on the 10b-

ly Agricola

NOTES - If

'\r\¢~

a lowly one, yet on it hangs the existence both of the reindeer and the Laplander. It is a valuable lichen to the inhabitants of North- ern Europe, growing upwards of a foot high, and constituting almost the sole winter food of the rein- deer, that useful animal without which the inhabitants of those bar- ren regions could not exist. Well might Linnaeus exclalm: “Things often deemed most insignificant and contemptlble by ignorant men are, by the good providence of God, made the means of the great- est blessing to His creatures." Possibly the only use of the lichens. in Canada, was in the mnk- ing of dyes for cloth, by the Wives of the early settlers. The colors produced were principally reds and browns.

The "Chemist's Shops", l.e., Urug- storcs, In Britain used to sell "Ico- land Moss". a lichen known to scl- ence as Cetvaria lslandlca. This was used as a light food for invullds and was said to be popular among T. B. patients. It was reputed to be demulcent, pectoral, tonic and nutritious; all excellent qualities ‘ir such cases. However, ii seemed to I19 20mg out of use In my early Iwyhood, and I never hoard of il as l grew older. We know now that It is one of the commoner lichens of America. though I ha“) not yet found it hr-rc.

Llchens are really (‘Ompnundml lilanls but that is another siorw that must wait. '

The Sky In February

The Moon, which is 5 days “olrl", I5 l" Apogee on February lsl. Dis- tance from the Earth, 252.100 miles.

Early in the morning (04.51) oi February 9th, the Moon is in con- junction with Uranus. (The planet as sccn, is rulhc-r less bright lhan a third magnitude star.)

The Moon is full on Fclllrunr) 13th, and at 17.01 hours will be in conjunction with Saturn. 1t may be possible to see the planet and our satellite in proximity if the sky is clear.

February 14. the Moon is in Perl- Hee: only 222.800 miles away. Sat- urdayn February 19th, the Moon is in its Last Quarter.

February 23, the Moon is in con- junction with Juplter ut 17.54 hrs. We are not likely to see this, though we may experience its ef- fects. At the last conjunction we had rain for three days, Dec. 30, 31. and Jan. 1.

New Moon on February 27, and shortly after (at 21.42 hrs.) a COr. junction with the planet Mars. ' Some conjunctions occurring dur- In! daylight hours. have been omit- ted. _When we can see the con- junction we learn to recognize the planet, just as the ancient astrono. mers did.

Efillllfic versus Zodiac

On December 21. 1948. lhe Sun (f wrote) entered the Zodincnl sign Capricornus: at least that is what "I-Tilmmefs agree to tell us. To "it". however, implies motion. when we know that relatively the sun stands still. It l; the Earn, which has travelled lnio a pugi. tlon which hid the sign Cgpfl. cornns behind tho sun, ssllnglarlv spring begins when the

un enters the sign A119; on March will. 1e49, and m... o... lg further identified as (he "Vernal (Sllrlng) Equinox." N°W. 0n account of the retro. grade motion of the Equlnoxos along the Ecllpilc (which is ah. other way of saying that our Ium. 111M‘? Is losing ground!) the Sun now "enters" the constellation Placed, at the Vernal Equinox. Con- ventionally, however, the astrono- men still use Aries at the Sprlnc 518m The Sun actually "enters" Sagittarius on December 2011i. though the Almanacs siill use the name Caprlcornuu. How docs this 'sw1tch" affect their astrological predictions?

Foxes u predators

year.

Dominion.

These an the top chow Holsteins of Canada T01 Upper left is Mnntvic Rag Apple Marksman. Canadian Aged ‘Bull for j. j. E. McCague, Allision, OiiL. and C. j. Cerswell, Beeion, Oni., Upper right is All-Canadian Aged Cow for Brooklln, Ont. Sire by Colony Colanthus Pcrfeciion. coveted award of all. Vancouver, B.

194E. All-

for the fifth Sffilliglll. Forthlyne Dolieia lnka Foscli, Hugh W. Ormisfoln. At the left is the All-Canadian Gel-of- This is the most Owned by j. Graucr d". Sons.

C, All-Canadian winners were chosen by a committee of judges at the leadmglairs of tho

ing, in this rcgion at leust. This is not a matter of congratulation either tn our farmers or to those Interested in preserving our game birds. Erlivirril l1. For-bush. Sluic- Orniillologist for binsszicliuscils. onlro niiidv an inquisitinn inlu the predatory harhiis of the fox. rind found that foxes wove rcgzirdeil as nuisances or even pests. lit-re are soino of lhe c ‘IIHIFS brought against them: l": cs find and (lo- stroy the eggs and young of l_'f‘Ulll’liI— nesting birds. including tlmse of the ruffed grouse nnrl huhivlille. Grouse, woorlcovks. and hobivhifes. have been found in fox stomachs. In siinimoi" foxes (‘llIf'l\ huill old and young: game birds, including ducks In winter they vain-h game birds iinrli-r the arrow or undt-r (he lower brain-hos of rrrnlferous trot-s whore tho birds lake shclivr for the night.

Otlivr" observers say that while fnxos live chiefly on mice and in- souls, lhoy also destroy domestic fowls (including turkeys, groan. anrl pigcoiw). also lambs, ants, young pigs, hares (rabbits), musk- rais, mice, shrotvs. and frogs. In one case a poultryman lost more than 200 hens and chickens 1n a short limo and gave up the busi- ness. Pbxc-s were the only crea- Lures sci-n to lake ihcni.

The fox is so crafty that it is able to exist, thrive. rind multiply unduly, even 1n sclllcd communit- ies. it is axiomatic that man, when he wishes (o roar pouliry, or 1o in- crease game or inseciivoruus birds. must rcrluce (or even exterminate) their predators, of which the fox is not least.

Concerning Music

I am glad to hear that the pro- moters of the Musical Festival are preparing for another successful yiear. ‘Tlloy have already worked wonders in a short time, and I cor- dizilly congratulate thorn. Music lightens labor, adds pleasure to leisure, and even promotes health. I have been informed Ihnt Mr. R. Robcrls is now visiting Brack- Iey Point School, weekly, as teach- cr of music, by the Tonic Sulfa System combined with (he Staff of Nnlnllon. That is good riev/s, fol‘ children oasllyi Ionrn (hr: Sulfa, and once learned 1t is never forgot- ton.