I forces, and, by 1898 had two well-organized profitable fox ranches in n operation. In the next year or two a single pelt was reported to have brought $18,000. Thus their animals were in heavy demand for breeding purposes. Prices of breeding stock soared and, as rapidly as possible, a )i number of other Islanders got into the business. )r By 1913, the market value of a mixed pair of older stock of proven it fecundity had reached a maximum of $35,000. During the war the prices 3, fell drastically, but following the war prices became more stable. Progress I was steady in the 1920's and the peak of production was reached in 1929 with a total of 727 fox farms in operation on P.E.I. f The extent of the fox ranching industry on Prince Edward Island can be gauged from a report in a Montreal newspaper several years ago, that, per capita, Summerside was the wealthiest town of its size in North America. This was directly as a result of the fox industry. Through the 1930's and 1940's several farmers in this district h raised foxes but none on a very large scale. Ranchers, at this time, would receive from $40 to $50 for a pelt of good quality fur. After about 1945 there was a sharp decline in the business, until today very few foxes are d raised in captivity. l! SPORTS Although Augustine Cove has no recreational facilities there are, u and has been, many sports enthusiasts in this community down through j the years. In the 1920's, and before, as soon as the mill pond froze over in yearly winter, the young — and not sd young — people would spend many hfuPPy hours skating and playing hockey. If a snow storm would spoil ' the fun, all would pitch in to clear off the snow so their favourite sport ,; could be continued. There being no shelter of any kind at the pond for the skaters, they would take advantage of the warm kitchens of the farm if homes nearby for putting on their skates, and, many times, thawing out ' their almost-frozen hands and feet after the game. ;i ,, In the late 1940's an outdoor rink was built in the field back of j the home of George Ceretti . Although the activities which took place (). there were much enjoyed by many, the rink only functioned for a couple f of years. Through the years from the 20's to the 50's the hockey players, a host of their fans, would travel by horse and sleigh, or any mode i conveyance necessary to get to rinks in Victoria, Bedeque and flen — ln an kindg of roadg and weather_ sW v16 ^dkwing were some of the Cove boys who played on champion- Rrwr p°^key teams: Brent Clark , Claud, Frank and Bruce MacWilliams, rJI™ i;llffe> Eldon Dawson, Vernie Webster, Wendell MacFadyen , Gor- °n MacFarlane, Gerald MacFadye and fen. | mn , -M^-ny of the younger generations have had this honor also, but it v inn^ • pomted out that the opportunities for playing, travelling, etc. are . ^ft improved over the olden days. 39