. Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture; Agriculture. SILVER FOX FARMING. 9 surface is to be avoided, but a subsoil of clay or hardpan is an advan- tage, as foxes will not dig ground hard enough to require a pick to break it up. Gravel affords excellent drainage, but foxes burrow deeply in it and thus are difficult to manage, even though they may not escape. INCLOSURES. A model fox ranch has three kinds of enclosures: Dens, where the animals are sheltered and in which the young are born; yards or runs, where they may have sunshine and shade and sufficient exercise to keep
. Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture; Agriculture. SILVER FOX FARMING. 9 surface is to be avoided, but a subsoil of clay or hardpan is an advan- tage, as foxes will not dig ground hard enough to require a pick to break it up. Gravel affords excellent drainage, but foxes burrow deeply in it and thus are difficult to manage, even though they may not escape. INCLOSURES. A model fox ranch has three kinds of enclosures: Dens, where the animals are sheltered and in which the young are born; yards or runs, where they may have sunshine and shade and sufficient exercise to keep them in good health; and a guard fence surrounding the entire ranch, for the double purpose of preventing intrusion from without and escape from within. DENS. The walls of a fox den should exclude moisture, deaden sounds, and protect the occupants from extremes of heat and cold. During the. Fig. 4.—Horizontal longitudinal section of barrel den. breeding season, when foxes are unusually nervous, and when the cubs can not withstand exposure, these features are particularly impor- tant. Provision should also be made for ventilation without admit- ting light or drafts. The barrel den shown in figures 3 to 6 is merely a clean barrel, having a smooth interior, surrounded by dry sawdust, within a wooden box. In one head of the barrel is an <ntranee hole 8 inches wide and 10 inches high. A similar opening is mafic in the upper side for inspection, cleaning, and ventilating. Above the barrel a screen door is hinged to preclude escape when tlie coveris raised. A sheet of burlap lacked to one side of the screen- door frame and spread over the netting when the covers arc raised for ventilation will keep out air currents and light. At the entrance hole is ;ni elbowed spout, 2\ feet in the shorter arm and 0 feet in the longer. 5238° Bull. 301 15 2. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration an
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