Breeders Association. One of the many reports filed by Mr. Dawson read as follows:

Inspector Dawson reports that when he went to the ranch of Mrs. - he found that this ranch is located on ground leased from her husband and that Mr. - has an unregistered ranch 0n the same property about 150 yards from the registered ranch. The statement is made that Mrs. - feeds the registered foxes and Mr. - claims that he is doing away with the unregistered ranch this year. A litter of 5 puppies was born in the registered ranch and Inspector Dawson tatoo marked them. It was decided to have another inspector go to this ranch and if the unregistered foxes were pelted she is to receive registration.21

Registered foxes were a high priced commodity and extreme pre— cautions were taken to guard against impostors and illness. Everything had to be thoroughly sterilized before feeding, and a good diet was necessary to produce top grade pelts. Foxes were fed eggs, gaspereaux, milk, cereal, tripe, and fox biscuits. The gaspereaux was forked from the river and put through a grinder. The tripe, which was made from animal intestines, was purchased frozen in one by two by three foot wooden slat boxes.22

The foxes were closely watched during breeding so the exact birth date could be determined. This information was crucial because abso- lute silence was required when the kits arrived. If the mothers were disturbed, they ate their young. The best foxes were kept for breeding, with a litter usually appearing in early spring.23

The animals were housed in wire pens, the wire being buried two to four feet into the ground and completely enclosing the sides and top to prevent the animals from escaping. The wire pens which were at least

Fox pens on the Rex Dawson Ranch in North Tryon. Myron Dawson collection.

23