<i^ 
 
 FUR 
 
FUR. 
 
 BY 
 
 A. L. BELDEIV 
 
 THE WERNER COMPANY, Publishers 
 AKRON, OHIO, U. S. A. 
 
 1004 
 

 Two Gocies Receivwi • 
 SEP 27 1904 
 Oooyrtjfht Envry / 
 
 S <^ XXo. No. 
 
 / Jbopy B 
 
 Copyright, 1904, 
 
 BY 
 
 THE WERNER COMPANY 
 
FUR.. 
 
 FUR is the term generally and quite indiscriminately used to 
 designate the hirsute growth covering almost completely the 
 bodies of many species of animals, embracing a majority of the 
 otherwise diverse quadrupeds dwelling in comparative peace, 
 l)y stealth, or by strenuous endeavor in forests, vales, or marshes; 
 upon isles of the sea and ranges of eternal snow ; and through- 
 out the more or less densely settled tracts and wild wastes of 
 temperate and frigid zones. But this definition, or comprehen- 
 sion, of fur is incorrect, whether it is considered as a study in 
 natural history, or from a commercial standpoint, as 
 this growth upon the skins of animals is distinctly Differences 
 dual in character, consisting of both liair and fur. between 
 Hair has a smooth surface, is round, tubular or hoi- fur and 
 
 low nearly throughout its length, rather brittle when hair. 
 
 quite dry ; and generally remarkably hard. It 
 varies considerably in development, ranging in length from 
 about one-half inch or less upon certain canines, to six or eight 
 inches upon some monkeys, goats, and the Polar bear. It is ob- 
 served in sundry colors, noticeably red, brown, yellow, deep 
 black and pure white, as well as in combinations of all these. 
 Fur has a serrated surface, which gives it its peculiar felting 
 properties. It is soft, pliant, moderate in length, and is devel- 
 oped in much greater abundance than hair, usually covering the 
 skin so densely as to seemingly preclude the possibility of an- 
 other tiny fur rootlet finding space in which feebly to flourish. 
 Fur is black, snowy white, brown, and bluish or smoky in hue. 
 While the quantity, and quality and color of the coats of ani- 
 mals are undoubtedly affected to a marked degree by heat and 
 cold, it cannot be truly asserted that their natural coloring is 
 absolutely determined by, or dependent upon, climatic condi- 
 tions, notwithstanding the generally entertained contrary opin- 
 ion. The coats of a terrier and a common cat will be respectively 
 all short hair, or a dense growth of soft fur, in association with 
 an overgrowth of hair, though both animals are reared in a 
 house kept constantly warm in excess of the reasonable re- 
 quirements of the human occupants. The harp seal, l)orn on the 
 ice on the coast of Labrador, and the horse, and musk ox, native 
 
 — 33 — 
 
of Greenland, are hairy ; while the fox and otter, having their 
 habitat in the flowery fields and swamps of Florida, are furry. 
 Nature determined the animal's general physical conditions in 
 the beginning, and nature's laws, having been established in 
 wisdom, are manifestly destined to abide. Some animals, in- 
 cluding the horse, ox, lion, camel, and members of the deer 
 family, have coats exclusively of hair. The covering on the skin 
 of the mole is practically all fur. But nearly all the huml)le 
 creatures designated as .fur-bearers have coats consisting of 
 both hair and fur developed in varying proportions, the fur largely 
 predominating. Fur so densely covers the skins of some speci- 
 mens, particularly the fur seal, beaver, muskrat, nutria, otter 
 and coney, that the hairs may all be plucked — an operation per- 
 formed to enhance the beauty and commercial value of the fur — 
 without effecting the slightest perceptible diminution in Ihe 
 quantity of the animal's natural covering. It may be assuiiu'd, 
 as a theory not heretofore advanced, that the longer hairs inter- 
 spersed through the fur serve as a screen or shield whereby the 
 shorter fur is protected against the "wear and tear" of brush 
 and brier, rock or rubbish through which the creatures pursue 
 their way or prowl in quest of prey. It is a fact, for instance, 
 observed by trappers and furriers, that the hairs upon the slioul- 
 ders of the mink are often badly broken and rubbed off in the 
 spring of the year ; at which time the animal in its quest for 
 food, which is not then abundant, penetrates every discoverable 
 muskrat burrow or other likely rift in the ground, many of 
 which are so small that the creature experiences considerable 
 difficulty in effecting an entrance. Minks' skins showing this 
 injury are rated at a lower price than they would otherwise com- 
 mand. Fur serves the animal as a protective garment, not be- 
 cause it supplies warmth, but undoubtedly on 
 Suscepti- account of the fact that, being a very poor conductor 
 bility of fur of heat, it retains in the body of the living creature 
 animals to practically all the vital heat developed, and which 
 cold ; the suffices for the perfect comfort of the animal during 
 Russian the severely cold days and nights of an extended 
 sable. winter. Even animals, including those as large as 
 
 the bear, which hibernate during the months of pre- 
 vailing low temperatures, seemingly experience no real or great 
 discomfort on account of cold. For the same reason, that fur is 
 a very indifferent conductor of heat, furry creatures endure in 
 comparative indifference the ardent warmth of the summer 
 months, the heat penetrating to their bodies very slowly if at all. 
 The view may reasonably be advanced that fur-bearers, particu- 
 larly those most fully furred, are never painfully conscious either 
 of external heat or cold, and that the temperature of their bodies 
 
 — 34 — 
 
is approximately uniform under all climatic conditions. It is 
 true that the fur seal appears to "suffer from the heat" when 
 the thermometer indicates a temperature above fifty-five degrees 
 Fahrenheit, under which condition the animal manifests its 
 sense of oppression by lying on its back or side and fanning it- 
 self with its flippers. It may be questioned, however, whether 
 the effect is not more particulary due to humidity than to heat, 
 the rookeries (literally rockeries), upon which the seals lie at the 
 time being enveloped in fog, that is, a dense steamy mist, pre- 
 venting natural radiation. This sensitiveness to heat mani- 
 fested by the seal may be due to the facts that its fur is rather 
 short, and its diet exceedingly rich, the latter consisting wholly 
 of oily fish. It should also be noted that the fur seal cannot en- 
 dure a low temperature, and does not frequent places where 
 freezing occurs during cold weather ; consequently in not a sin- 
 gle instance has the animal been observed to go upon ice. It 
 has already been noted that the skins of many animals are al- 
 most completely covered with hair or fur. The animal to which 
 this statement most strictly applies is the Russian sable, a small 
 animal inhabiting the forests of Siberia where snow falls to a 
 great depth and rivers are frozen solid. The Russian sable is a 
 furry creature, being fur-clad, indeed, even to the soles of its 
 feet. As the animal in its travels through the forest in quest of 
 food treads almost constantly upon snow or ice during the long 
 Siberian winter, the fur upon the soles of its tiny paws prevents 
 the radiation of vital heat and proves protective against external 
 cold at the points where protection is most effective. This 
 diminutive piece of fur on the paws of the sable not only serves 
 its natural owner well, but is held in high esteem by those who 
 know and appreciate the excellence of real sable fur. These lit- 
 tle patches of fur are carefully removed by furriers ; and, after 
 they have been properly treated, are made into linings for costly 
 garments ; the fur from fifteen hundred to two thousand sable 
 paws being required to make a single lining. Other animals 
 show small portions of the body devoid of hair or fur ; instances 
 being the horny hoofs of the horse, the more horn-like hoofs and 
 bare nose-tips of cattle and members of the deer family ; the 
 leathery tails of the beaver and muskrat ; the tail and nose of 
 the 'possum ; the flippers of seals ; the toes and a consideralile 
 part of the feet, especially the soles, of all hair-habited and fur- 
 bearing animals. 
 
 Pelt is a term properly employed to designate the entire skin 
 with all the fur just as it is taken from the body of the animal, 
 either immediately following its removal or at any 
 subsequent time, so long as the skin as a whole re- Pelt, etc. 
 mains in a natural state. The term has long since 
 passed from common usage in the fur trade, and at present it is 
 
 _^35 — 
 
rarely heard where furriers meet and miugle, though it has not 
 ceased to serve its time-honoured purpose in some trapping 
 sections inchiding the vast territory of Canada under the modi- 
 fied sway of the Hudson's Bay Company. The term "pelt" is, 
 however, in general use among sheep raisers and Iniyers of the 
 skins of these animals ; the terms uniformly employed on the 
 range and in the market, whether expressed orally or in writing, 
 being " sheep pelt," "sheep pelts" or simply "pelts." Com- 
 mon usage rules in many spheres, and "fur" is not merely a 
 suggestive but is clearly a descriptive term, even to those not 
 specifically informed or naturally trained in the particular 
 branch of trade to which the article is confined ; whereas the 
 term "pelt" is vague to the general mind, and is viewed as 
 rather antiquated by those directly concerned in the trade. 
 "Sheep pelt" readily conveys a comprehensive impression 
 of a great mass of wool; but really constitutes, in its entirety, 
 the warm coat of a sheep. "Sheep-skins" merely conjures 
 mental conceptions of drum-heads, and the like; or recalls the 
 objective point of the dreams and struggles of student days 
 fraught (metaphorically) with a large measure of "wool gather- 
 ing," resulting, in many instances, in a meagre "clip" of the 
 wool itself ! But to speak of " lamb-skin " l)y any other name 
 would excite more than passing wonder. Horse-hide or cow- 
 hide may be fully comprehended without added explanation; 
 but any other form than "colt-skin" and "calf-skin" would 
 be startling and of doubtful import. 
 
 It is of record, free from controverting doubts, that fur consti- 
 tuted not merely the primitive but the primal apparel conserving 
 the requirements and comforts of the race, meeting in this re- 
 gard the needs of the first human denizens of earth 
 as they passed from the Garden of Eden, their orig- primitive 
 inal realm of abounding peace and plenty, into per- use of fur; 
 ])etual exile. The "Fall of IMan" from his first as a cover- 
 glorious estate causing the instant discovery of his in?- lu-xury, 
 utter lack of attire, impressed upon him a sense of ^"" deco- 
 shame that imperiled his ethical peace, and brought 
 upon him not only the condemnation hut also the 
 compassion of a gracious Creator, who made "coats of skins" 
 and clothed the offender. It may be assumed that those primal 
 "coats of skins," though wrought in knowledge, were designed 
 to pieet the exigencies of the wearers rather than to excite their 
 vanity — a simple fact that exalts into bold relief the extreme 
 change of view regarding the purposes of dress attained by the 
 daughters of Eve and the sons of Adam in the subsequent cen- 
 turies. From the beginning of human time, so far as man 
 knows or can know of such a beginning, down through the ages 
 intervening between it and the flood, Adam and Eve and their 
 
 — 36 — 
 
descendants seem to have been satisfied and contented with rai- 
 ment solely serving certain primitive needs; the fashion thereof 
 neither making nor marring their peace of mind nor impairing 
 their social rank. But dating from the era succeeding the flood, 
 men and women have been increasingly concerned about the 
 form, fit and finish of their attire. While men apparently have 
 been chiefly content upon acquiring possession of a little brief- 
 authority, they, not less than the daughters of Eve, have lavished 
 a large share of their attention upon their appareling, whether 
 limited to the partial covering constituting barbaric dress, or 
 embracing the frills and freaks of fashion accumulating in obedi- 
 ence to the active and competitive spirit of emulation. Succes- 
 sive generations, regardless of toil and cost, have wrought into 
 the clothing of the race every leaf, grass, fibre and other vege- 
 table as well as animal and even mineral substance suitable for 
 such purpose, and for decorating the same. The mineral, vege- 
 table and animal kingdoms have yielded, to man's necessities or 
 artistic sense, materials readily found or toilsomely won in his 
 journeyings through field, vale and forest; brook, river and 
 ocean, as well as the "trackless" air or deep dug mine. From 
 these silks of superb weaves and exquisitely delicate colourings, 
 velvets deeply soft and smooth, satins rich, lustrous and many 
 hued, laces alluringly charming in design, gold in marvelous 
 ductility, gems aglow with the dazzle of the sun, and countless 
 materials capable of being wrought into majestic or simple de- 
 signs; all have been alternately in vogue, waxed and waned, 
 reigned and suffered eclipse; but fur has constantly held its ex- 
 alted sway in favor as well as service. Fur, as an exclusive article 
 of court dress, was the " peculiar treasure " of kings and nobles, 
 being reserved to them by legal enactments; and even at the 
 present time the supply of the finest sables, black and silver foxes 
 and sea otters never exceeds the demands of crowns and courts 
 and aristocracies. To possess the liest in fur is the boast of 
 Royalty, noliility and of the master of millions. In many in- 
 stances there has been cheerfully paid for a single garment of 
 sable, black or silver "fox, an amount exceeding what might l)e 
 expended for "clothes " by an ordinary mortal during a lifetime. 
 Fur of lower cost, of every price from pennies to pounds per 
 skin, has continuously served as clothing, protective and deco- 
 rative, for men or women. Savages employed it as of real value 
 in their meagre wardrobes, or for making their couches, tents, 
 boats, shields, and numerous articles of minor importance. Bar- 
 barian and hunter have ever delighted to wear single skins of the 
 leopard, wolf and smaller animals, usually pendant from the 
 shoulders down the back, to augment the fierce aspect of the 
 wearer or serve as a visible sign of valour or prowess. The skin 
 thus worn doubtless served as the model for the picturesque 
 
 — 37 — 
 
domino of satin, velvet and other costly stuffs so much worn 
 years ago by courtiers and men of worth in England, France, 
 Spain and other lands. Badgers' skins, and rams' skins dyed 
 red, formed an essential part of the covering of the Tabernacle 
 constructed in the wilderness by the Hebrews. Fur, which con- 
 stituted both the raiment and distinguishing badge of honour 
 among ancient, barbaric races, has uniformly been employed as 
 a constituent part of coronation robes as well as of the crown 
 itself. It has been appropriated for the mantles indicative of 
 rank, worn by princes, princesses and courtiers upon state occa- 
 sions; for the flowing robes of great dignitaries of the Romish, 
 Greek and English churches in early and modern times; for the 
 robes of office of judges in the higher courts, governors of rich 
 provinces and commonwealths, and chiefs of petty states and 
 stately cities. Incidental to the adoption of emblems and sym- 
 bols in connection with rank, fur has had a large and rather im- 
 pressive place in heraldry. The fighting men of countless tribes, 
 feudal states and nations, from the beginning of wars to these 
 piping times of peace, have necessarily been clad wholly or in 
 part in fur. Certain English and French soldiers, members of 
 the Old Guard of the American Metropolis, leaders of regimental 
 bands and members of some military companies, have found and 
 continue to experience great satisfaction in wearing their busbys. 
 The drum-major if compelled to choose, would undoubtedly rather 
 dispense with his baton than his busby, even on a hot day ; with- 
 out the former he could still go through the necessary motions 
 with his supple arms; whereas the loss of his busby would prove 
 a sore deprivation, affecting his dignity. The busby, that towering 
 head-gear of glossy black fur, is supposed invarialily to be made 
 of black bear skin. But in seasons when black bear skins have 
 been scarce, or when a strong fashionable demand has effected a 
 marked increase in its price, dyed goat-skin has served as a fair 
 substitute. Fur has formed an apprecialde part of the loot 
 gathered by western armies when victorious over eastern foes in 
 whose countries large supplies of fine furs and fur garments have 
 been preserved in treasure houses. The opportunity for securing 
 priceless skins has often proved irresistible to officers as well as 
 privates who are seldom averse to possessing themselves of such 
 "riches." The necessity of supplying expeditionary forces, into 
 regions where temperature is liable to l)ecome much reduced, with 
 the proper fur garments has become a matter of experience. The 
 intense cold prevailing on very high mountains could not be endured 
 by travellers, hunters, or inhabitants clad in any other material. 
 Pioneers pressing to a frontier, discoverers seeking the poles, ex- 
 plorers traversing regions beyond the borders of civilization, 
 lumber-men in the vast snow-shrouded forests of the north ; trav- 
 ellers, teamsters, toilers and wanderers in every region ruled by 
 
 — 38 — 
 
the frost king, all know or learn, that varments, robes and sleep- 
 ing bags of fur are essential to comfort, sustained health, and 
 even the preservation of life. In barbaric times, and in days not 
 remote from the present, the trappings of champing steeds and the 
 adornments of their riders were of fur, ranging in artistic con- 
 ception and effect through all grades of design and appropriate- 
 ness. In these latter days it may be noted as evidencing the 
 persistence of custom that a blanket or robe of fur is still provided 
 for the thoroughbred ; and that its driver, the coachman of per- 
 sons of high degree, revels in the possession of a cape of special 
 design, as well as great gloves, foot-muff, and lap-robe, all of 
 fur. This fidelity to habit and favor for fur extends into all later 
 developments of luxury. Through all the changing conditions 
 of man's environment, from savagery upward, fur has held in- 
 terested attention and merited universal appreciation. It has 
 been accorded a place in literature and art; in the realms of 
 fashion, in the palace, court, salon, mansion and cottage. In 
 brief it is coincident with man. It is, therefore, not remarkable 
 that it should have been an article of barter in earliest times. 
 The date at which trade and barter in fur began is not known, 
 but it is reasonable to suppose that, owing to its almost universal 
 employment as a material of clothing, and to the fact that prim- 
 itive man was born to the chase, it should have been one of the 
 first objects of barter and trade. When early man grew weary 
 of being his own tailor, hatter, and sandal maker — and that was 
 long before he thought deeply or thought at all — barter began, 
 and trading was instituted. Fur has been the imperishable lure 
 of the pioneer in all ages. The advance from bar- 
 barism to civilization has been along the well beaten Barter de- 
 trail of the plain and forest, and in the courageous velops into 
 track of the fur-hunter, the hardy trapper and the great trade 
 brawny pioneer fur-trader. Individual traders in concerns, 
 continuous succession have conducted their opera- 
 tions in previously discovered and originally explored fields the 
 world around, as the centuries have run their course. From time 
 to time great concerns with large resources have sought to mo- 
 nopolize the trade in skins by buying up, or compet- 
 ing out of existence, all rivals, great and small. Hudson's 
 But independent trappers and small traders still jjay coin- 
 flourish. One of the first of these influential and pany, 
 
 financially potent concerns was the Hudson's Bay American 
 Company, which was granted a charter by Charles F^^" Com- 
 II, in 1670, impowering it exclusively to trade and pa"y. etc. 
 barter with the aborigijies over a territory of vast 
 extent in North America, embracing the wild woodlands and open 
 country of Canada, including the wonderful inland ocean, 
 Hudson's Bay. Prince Kupert was the first head of this strong 
 
 — 39 — 
 
company, and other men of rank participated and have continued 
 to participate in the direction of its affairs as well as the enjoy- 
 ment of its products. 
 
 The Northwest Fur Company, organized at Montreal, Canada, 
 in 1783, entered directly into competition with the older firm for 
 the supremacy of the trade. The efforts made to obtain this 
 purpose evidenced a clearly entertained determination to rule the 
 entire trappins^ and hunting territory, and so to control the fur 
 market. All customary and legitimate methods of obtaining 
 skins from the Indians and white hunters were vigorously em- 
 ployed, and when these failed promptly to produce the desired 
 harvest, recourse was had to measures inconsistent with honour 
 and stability, culminating in active warfare between the trap- 
 pers, hunters and other partisans and employees of the two com- 
 panies. This state of affairs continued for some time, finally 
 resulting in the complete downfall of the younger concern. This 
 record is typical of all institutions of barter and trade, preced- 
 ing the conception of law or abiding under the restraints of law. 
 The condition is not inherent in trade and barter, but is due to 
 the chief and unchanging factor in both, human nature. The 
 Hudson's Bay Company has survived all changes and chances, 
 as well as the opposition of men and inanimate things, from the 
 date of its charter to the present day. But it has been shorn of 
 the autocratic powers it originally enjoyed. The trade in furs 
 conducted by the Company continues to be lucrative. 
 
 .Tohn Jacob Astor, born in Wattendorf, Germany, in 1763, 
 came to America just twenty-one years later, and almost imme- 
 diately after landing at New York, entered upon what proved to 
 be a notable career in the fur business. Possessing only mod- 
 erate means, he began in a modest way, dealing at first mainly 
 with Mohawk Indians from whom he olitained considerable sup- 
 plies of valuable skins, which he disposed of at large profits. He 
 was remarkably successful, and being exceedingly provident, ac- 
 cumulated a fortune. In 1809, he established the American Fur 
 Company, with a capital of one million dollars — a more potential 
 sum then, than at the beginning of the succeeding century. The 
 American Fur Company entered the field in abounding confidence 
 of successfully competing with the Hudson's Bay Company. In 
 the earnest desire to obtain this end, men and provisions were 
 hurried forward over land and sea to the Pacific Coast, to 
 establish headquarters and trilnitary posts at various places for 
 the collection of fur in extraordinary quantities. The scheme 
 included the building of a fort on the Columbia River. For a 
 time fair progress was reported but during the War of 1812 the 
 British captured the fort, and the enterprise ended in disaster. 
 Mr. Astor subsequently built up a lucrative export and import 
 liusiness in American and Chinese goods, fur, teas, silk and other 
 
 — 40 — 
 
urticles; he also realized a gratifyins; return on his realty invest- 
 ments in New York. Fur, however, was the foundation ot the 
 A^stor success. 
 
 Alaska, including the mainland and adjacent island, was pur- 
 chased by the United States from Russia in 1867. The United 
 States thereby became ruler over the most important and valuable 
 fur-seal rookeries in the world. In 1870, the Alaska 
 Other com- Commercial Company of San Francisco secured from 
 panies. the government a twenty-year lease conferring upon 
 
 the Company the exclusive privilege of taking fur- 
 seal skins on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Bering Sea, 
 comprisinc' the two principal rookeries frequented by the seals. 
 By the terms of this lease, the Alaska Commercial Company was 
 required to pay a fixed annual rental, a tax on each skin taken, 
 to provide the natives with a limited quantity of fuel and to pay 
 a definite amount for killing and skinning each seal. Ihe total 
 cost to the Company was about .«3.90 per skin. As the lessees 
 were permitted to take 100,000 seal skins annually the contract was 
 a profitable one, netting the Company more than a million dollars 
 each year. The Alaska Commercial Company also maintained 
 stations at the various places on the mainland, at which provi- 
 sions and merchandise were exchanged for furs, w'th probably 
 more than an ordinary profit on both sides of the account. In 
 addition to these sources of fur supplies, the Alaska Commercial 
 Company stationed agents at certain points to purchase sea-otter 
 skins from the Indian hunters. 
 
 Fur in the natural state, that is, just as it appears when re- 
 moved from the body of the animal (if no preparation other than 
 stretchino- is fdven it, or, in some specimens, the removal ot ex- 
 " clrssive fat to prevent tainting), is designated as 
 ^ ,.,. raw. Skins of animals are used in a multiplicity of 
 
 ^f°f,rr ns" conditions in the development of full-proportioned 
 prepared garments, cloaks, wraps, capes, and sundry smaller 
 for the articles of general utility and novelty. Ihe condi- 
 
 trade. tions known to the trade are: Natund, or in the 
 
 state of nature ; improved only by dressing, a cleans- 
 incr operation similar in effect to tanning. Plucked in which 
 the operation consists in removing practically all the long harsh 
 hairs leaving only the shorter fur on the skin. t,heared, 
 where the fur undergoes a process by which the hairs are cut oft 
 evenly down to the upper surface of the fur, leaving a smooth, 
 velvety pile of uniform depth. Half-sheared, m which the fur 
 has been subjected to an operation in the course of which the 
 hairs are cut off evenly but not down to the fur. Unltaired in 
 which the fur of plucked and dressed skins, especially seal, bea- 
 ver otter and coney, undergo a mechanical manipulation, result- 
 ing in the very nearly perfect removal of all the hairs from the 
 
 il 
 
fur, the hair being cut off close to the skin, leaving the remain- 
 ing fur clear, and materially enhanced in intrinsic value; or, in 
 instances, the hairs, instead of being cut are burned off with an 
 electrically heated wire — coney skins, dyed in imitation of fur 
 seal, being treated in this way, and known as "electric seal." 
 Blended, certain skins showing variation in the tone of the fur 
 but otherwise of a fine grade, are subjected to skillful treatment 
 with liquid preparations until the fur on the entire skin is har- 
 monious in color, or "blended." Dyed, a treatment made 
 necessary by the demands of fashion; fur of different varieties 
 being popular one season in a natural condition, and a year later 
 saleable only when dyed; seal being the only fur among the 
 many which would not at any time prove popular made up in 
 a natural condition. Point<-d, where the fur undergoes a man- 
 ual operation consisting of tlie simple act of permanently plac- 
 ing single white hairs — badger hair lieingthe best — at intervals 
 in the fur of certain skins ; these white hairs or points, scattered 
 over the entire skin, were formerly seweJ in place, but latterly are 
 attached to the fur with water-proof rubber cement. In pointing, 
 the operator dips the end of a single hair in the cement ; and, 
 blowing the fur apart, inserts the hair in the desired position, 
 fastening it by a twirling of the thumb and forefinger. Point- 
 ing is not a regular practice, skins being treated in this way 
 only occasionally to simulate those of much higher cost, particu- 
 larly silver fox and sea-otter. In instances the tips of white 
 feathers have been used instead of white hairs, producing a 
 snow-flecked and unnatural appearance. 
 
 Animals valued on account of their fur are secured by shoot 
 ing and trapping, the latter method prevailing, as the skins 
 of animals that have been shot are invariably 
 damaged, thereby, to a greater or less extent. How 
 
 Bears are shot and trapped, the shooting being done secured 
 
 by amateur sportsmen and impatient trappers. The and sent 
 skunk is regularly taken in traps but is frequently "-o market, 
 traced to its burrow underground from which it is dug 
 out and promptly killed by a sharp blow or two administered 
 with a club. Siberian squirrels and sables are trapped, and are 
 also shot with l)lunt arrows. All other fur-bearing animals 
 when regularly secured for their fur, are taken in traj)S, with the 
 exception of the fur seal which, at the rookeries, is driven in- 
 land about three miles to the " killing grounds," and there de- 
 spatched ; a single blow on the head with a stout club sufficing 
 to cause almost instant death. Pelagic sealers capture their 
 prey by shooting and spearing. The beaver is considerately ac- 
 corded protection under the game laws of nearly all the States 
 and Canada, killing being prohibited at all times, or during a 
 definite portion of the year ; fines, ranging up to .flOO, being 
 
 — 42 — 
 
imposed for each violation of the law. In many of the States 
 and Territories there is a "close season" for several species of 
 fur-bearing animals. The skunk is especially well protected in 
 the counties of New York State in which hops are grown in 
 quantities. The animal is very fond of the hop-worm, a crea- 
 ture which, if unopposed, affects great damage in hop-yards, kill- 
 ing the vines by eating through the vine and cutting it off near 
 the root. Nature, however, is the best protector of her furry 
 children. Instead of protecting certain animals, chiefly the fox 
 and wolf, the State or county encourages their destruction by 
 paying a bounty on each one killed. The purpose sought, the 
 extinction of these creatures, is not affected, foxes being always 
 common, North, South, East and West ; and wolves abounding 
 in certain sections of the country. 
 
 All fur-bearing animals freely shed their fur, and show more 
 or less marked variations in colouring, during the spring and 
 summer months, under which condition fur has no commercial 
 value. The fur-bearing animals being nocturnal in their habits, 
 traps are set at night. On completing the round of his traps in 
 the morning, the trapper carries home the bodies of the animals 
 comprising his "catch," and promptly proceeds to remove the 
 skins and stretch them so that they may be in good form when 
 dried. The work of stretching is performed by drawing the 
 skins, fur-side in, over rather long pieces of board, terminating 
 in a rounded point at one end, of the proper shape and size, and 
 fastening the skin at the butt, to the board so that it will not 
 shrink lengthwise as it dries. Green hickory withes, bent round 
 nearly doubly, are sometimes used instead of boards. They cost 
 nothing and serve the desired purpose very well, particularly for 
 skins, such as muskrat, worth only a few cents each. Skins are 
 also stretched to dry by being nailed flat, skin-side out, upon 
 boards, barn doors, and other convenient places. Skins are 
 classed "cased," or " open, " according to the method of stretch- 
 ing that is employed. Skins stretched on boards or withes are 
 " cased," those nailed out fiat are " open." Skins of the beaver, 
 raccoon, and large creatures like the bear are sent to the market 
 
 — 43 — 
 
open ; all other skins, jfcjierally or quite uniformly, cased. The 
 skin of the fur seal is open, but instead of being stretched and 
 dried it is heavily salted as soon as removed from the body of 
 the animal. For purposes of shipment from the islands, raw 
 seal skins, still "in the salt," are folded together and tied three 
 in a bundle, and are then packed in casks. Trappers ship the 
 skins secured by them to the market in small lots, receiving in 
 return from the buyers a statement showing assortment and 
 value, together with a check for the full amount ; or they hold 
 the skins in their liarns or cellars until local collectors or buyers 
 from the great markets of New York, St. I^ouis, St. Paul and 
 Chicago, call, on their regular purchasing tours. Dealing in 
 raw furs is a distinct branch of the fur trade, and large liuyers 
 and exporters keenly compete for every great or little lot of skins 
 offered in the market or reserved in remote inland villages, at 
 the beginning of each raw fur season. A few raw furs are sold 
 direct to manufacturers, and some moderate sized lots are origi- 
 nally forwarded to Leipzig, Germany. The great bulk of the 
 annual collection from all over the world, except Greenland and 
 Iceland, is sent direct to London to be offered at auction to at- 
 tending interested l)uyers from all parts of Europe, Asia and 
 America. This statement embraces the entire yearly collection 
 of the great Hudson's Bay Company, skins secured by hunters 
 and trappers in every nook and corner of the United States, and 
 all fur seal skins whether procured by the American or Russian 
 companies, or the Canadian and Japanese pelagic sealer. The 
 Hudson's Bay Company leads with two annual public sales, the 
 first in January at which beaver and muskrat skins are offered ; 
 the second in March with a miscellaneous collection. Messrs. 
 C. M. Lampson & Co., London, hold annually large public sales 
 in January, March, June and October, with the im- 
 portant collections of American, European, Asiatic;' Method of 
 African and Australasian furs and skins ; and a annual 
 
 sale in December of each year at which fur seal sales, 
 
 skins exclusively are offered. 
 
 A more comprehensive view of these sales, and of the fur 
 market generally, may be obtained from a study of the offerings, 
 which vary from year to year, the variation being due to the de- 
 mands of fashion, rather than an actual increase or decrease, as 
 the figures may show, in the existing number of the several 
 species of animals. 
 
 — 44 — 
 
 L.ofG. 
 
Hudson's Bay Company's Collections. 
 
 Beaver . . 
 
 Muskiat. 
 
 Otter . . . 
 
 Marten. . 
 
 Lynx . . 
 
 Mink. . . 
 
 Fisher. . . 
 
 Skunk.. . 
 
 Fox .... 
 
 Badger, . 
 
 Wolver- 
 ine . . . . 
 
 Raccoon . 
 
 Bear 
 
 Wolf 
 
 Rabbit... 
 
 Hair 
 Seals . . 
 
 Deer and 
 Elk.... 
 
 1S04 1S14 1S24 i8;,4 1S44 1854 1864 1S74 
 
 32.405 
 16,153 
 3-897 
 17,182 
 1,090 
 678 
 762 
 
 3.109 
 
 35S 
 
 890 
 
 560 
 
 3.252 
 
 9,8^6 
 
 17.818 77,309 
 138.770 306,890 
 
 3.947 
 
 23,106 
 
 167 
 
 1,064 
 
 551 
 
 10,528 
 61,216 
 6,456 
 5,92s 
 1,688 
 
 2,353 3,309 
 
 99.362 
 694,090 
 22,303 
 64,491 
 14.250, 
 25,101 
 2,479 
 
 9.938 
 
 505 
 9.105 
 
 320 
 
 631 1 
 
 5' 
 2,183 
 
 727 
 830 1 
 
 1.570 
 
 712 
 
 7.451 
 
 8,483 
 
 38,661 
 
 265,117 
 
 6,970 
 
 62,914 
 
 319.444 
 
 11.385 
 
 71.954,127,019 
 
 10,358 
 24,855 
 4,503 
 
 11,104 
 1,387 
 
 1,079 
 
 1.763 
 
 5.700 
 
 13,204 
 
 4,906 
 49,373 
 
 4,04s 
 
 11,318 
 
 16,002 
 
 900 
 
 1,065 
 
 1,051 
 
 9,612 
 
 13,829 
 
 91.316 
 
 2,404 
 
 460 
 
 118,120 
 
 367.300 
 
 12,605 
 
 115.430 
 
 4,760 
 ■63,725 
 
 4.715 
 
 2,o6l 
 
 17,670 
 1,562 
 
 1,211 
 2,384 
 7,348 
 5,427 
 5.051 
 
 15.145 
 3,200 
 
 59" 
 942 
 766 
 733 
 045 
 810 
 271 
 
 3.113 
 
 7,163 
 
 2,564 
 
 60,520 
 
 6,125 
 6,999 
 
 Offerings by Messrs. C. M. Lampson & Co. 
 and at minor sales. 
 
 
 1.803 
 
 1813 
 
 1S23 
 
 1833 
 
 1843 
 
 1S53 
 
 1863 
 
 1873 
 
 Beaver. . 
 
 93.198 
 
 70,000 
 
 10,015 
 
 17.871 
 
 12.022 
 
 3-211 
 
 ■ 
 9.192 
 
 63,781 
 
 Otter . . . 
 
 17,000 
 
 7.500 
 
 3-095 
 
 5.645 
 
 7,500 
 
 3,208 
 
 7-359 
 
 8,037 
 
 Marten . 
 
 32,000 
 
 600 
 
 26,254 
 
 53.685 
 
 37,963 
 
 15,421 
 
 21,650 
 
 30,704 
 
 Mink . . . 
 
 1.2,000 
 
 200 
 
 24-150 
 
 93.216 
 
 iiS,S6o 
 
 193,000 
 
 83.647 
 
 51,509 
 
 Lyn.x . . . 
 
 14,000 
 
 4,000 
 
 3.945 
 
 16,940 
 
 5,077 
 
 728 
 
 3.241 
 
 2,441 
 
 Raccoon 
 
 150,000 
 
 
 79.390 
 
 362,287 
 
 392,471 
 
 So7,o6o 
 
 475,637 
 
 458,932 
 
 Fox 
 
 10,000 
 
 i.Soo 
 
 18.071 
 
 69,730 
 
 67,162 
 
 68,023 
 
 62,626 
 
 90,726 
 
 Fisher. . 
 
 7.085 
 
 2,300 
 
 3,474 
 
 6,215 
 
 4,993 
 
 3-584 
 
 2,996 
 
 3,351 
 
 Bear . . 
 
 23,000 
 
 7,000 
 
 4,063 
 
 20,38s 
 
 5,205 
 
 2,291 
 
 v76o 
 
 6,198 
 
 Wolver- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ine. . . . 
 
 1,400 
 
 800 
 
 32 
 
 138 
 
 
 
 
 132 
 
 Wolf... 
 
 5,600 
 
 5.200 
 
 31 
 
 2,400 
 
 2,000 
 
 
 
 2,208 
 
 Muskrat 
 
 76,300 
 
 68,000 
 
 41.025 
 
 97,4661229,295 
 
 1,266.810 
 
 1,893,89s 
 
 2,171.265 
 
 Wildcat 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 
 3,220 
 
 5.427 
 
 5,354 
 
 7,895 
 
 
 
 
 
 — 4.5 ■ 
 

 1803 
 
 1813 
 
 1823 
 
 1833 
 
 1843 
 
 1853 
 
 1863 
 
 1873 
 
 Skunk 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 92,279 
 
 261.542 
 5,095 
 20,563 
 
 250,464 
 
 Sea Otter. . . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 88,456 
 
 
 48,072 
 14.334 
 
 37,786 
 89,579 
 
 American 
 
 
 
 
 House Cat 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Deer 
 
 Australian 
 
 204,000 
 
 37,000 
 
 47,865 
 
 159,000 
 
 120,772 
 
 38,641 
 
 20,509 
 
 313.343 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wallaby 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 African 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 17,68832,806 
 9,71427,896 
 
 23439 
 170,678 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The skins chiefly entering into consumption for purposes of 
 dress in the more civilized countries are: 
 
 Badger. — Variable in colour, ranging from white to deep 
 shades of brown, with some black and many long white hairs; 
 used in making collars, muffs, trimmings, and novelties; the white 
 hairs are employed in "pointing" vehen fur so treated is in 
 vogue. 
 
 Bear. — A number of species find great favor for their fur, of 
 which the black bear is the mo.st important, being preferred in 
 making capes, collars, stoles, muffs, cloak trimmings, sleigh and 
 carriage robes, floor rugs, military headwear, and for other pur- 
 poses; cinnamon bear, used at times in the productions of stoles, 
 muffs, sundry novelties and floor rugs; grizzly bear, fashionable 
 at times for trimmed garments, or for neckwear and mounted 
 rugs; Polar bear, chiefly desirable for making floor rugs, with 
 half or full mounted head. 
 
 Beaver. — An exceptionally durable and handsome fur, being 
 practically indestructible when made up natural or only plucked, 
 suitable for the production of every article that can be made of 
 fur. It is used natural, plucked, and dyed; and is the best fur 
 for the manufacture of men's and ladies' felt hats; but, owing to 
 the limited quantity and high cost it is not largely used for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Caracal. — One of the members of the lynx family; has black 
 ears, to which fact its Turkish name is due; the general colour 
 is pale brown (being lightest on the under portion of the body), 
 tinged with red, and showing many dark spots; made up dyed 
 black, in neckwear and small articles; the supply is not large. 
 
 4B- 
 
Cat. — The domestic animal; colours Mack, blue, white, yellow, 
 and every imasiuable combination ; used quite largely for linings 
 of coats and to some extent for children's sets; selected black 
 skins may be used natural, and rank highest in price on that ac- 
 count; but they make a cheap or low cost fur; skins of mixed 
 colour are dyed. 
 
 Cat. — The wild animal; similar in colour to the lynx, varying 
 from white to brown; it is dyed and used in making collars, 
 scarfs, stoles, trimmings, and a few small articles. 
 
 Chinchilla.— An exceedingly soft, light-weight, delicate fur 
 obtained in South America; exquisite stoles, capes, muffs, and 
 borders for silk and cloth garments are made of it; it is partic- 
 ularly suited to young ladies (blondes and heiresses). 
 
 Coney. — A low cost fur dift'ereing greatly in value, the skin of 
 the wild coney in America is worth about one cent; or, at 
 most, twice that amount, and is of chief value as a felting fur for 
 the manufacture of men's hats; the white coney, found in num- 
 bers in some parts of Europe, is also of small intrinsic value, and 
 is used for lining coats of low cost; it is sometimes dyed in imi- 
 tation of squirrel for the puropose named ; makes a fair imitation 
 of swansdown powder puff, and is largely used in covering small 
 animal toys. The French coney, common upon every little farm 
 and property in the Republic, is of superior mould, but is never- 
 theless a coney. This fur is plucked, dyed and unhaired; and it 
 so closely simulates seal in appearance that only the furrier 
 knows the diiference ; it is quite generally sold as "electric 
 .seal," " near-seal," " China-seal," and by names of a few more 
 seals wholly unknown to naturalists. 
 
 Cougar. — Also known as puma, American lion, mountain lion, 
 and more generally panther; not beautiful or serviceable but its 
 skin is effective as a floor rug or a mounted specimen. 
 
 Ermine. — The winter coat of a weasel; its "color" ranges 
 from clear white to a yellowish tinge ; used in the creation of 
 royal and judicial robes, opera wraps, capes, stoles, scarfs, muffs, 
 and borders ; the tip of the tail of the ermine is "black and this 
 black tip is inserted in the fur mainly to relieve the monotony 
 of the white ground of the fur when made up. 
 
 Fox. — Occurs in all colours, red, yellow, blue, gr.ay, silver- 
 gray, pure black, pure white, and a combination of all these; 
 the silver fox fur, which is black relieved with single white hairs, 
 outranks all other fur in value, a single skin at a public sale in 
 London bringing .1?2, 500; \yhile it would be a poor skin indeed, 
 that would bring in the raw less than $100; single skins are made 
 up for neckwear and the fur is also used for lining garments 
 owned by royalty and the nobility. Skins dyed in various col- 
 ours, black and rich brown, have been popular for some years 
 past, a single skin with pendent tails serving as a small stole; 
 
 — 47 — 
 
fox is also used for muffs, collars and trimmings, and small floor 
 mats with or without mounted heads. 
 
 Genett. — Obtained in Europe and South Africa; colours, <;ray 
 with markings in yellow; used dyed in making sets, collar and 
 muff, stoles, and as a trimming. 
 
 Goaf. — The skin is more hair than fur; produced in China in 
 large supply; dyed black it is used in making cheap sets and a 
 few small articles; is an important article in the manufacture of 
 men's coats for service in the lumber regions and the northwest. 
 It is also used largely in making sleigh and carriage rugs and 
 floor rugs; natural colours are dark gray, brownish gray and 
 white. 
 
 Hamster. — Variable in colour, showing white, yellow, brown 
 and dashes of black; used mainly for low cost linings. 
 
 Kangaroo. — A lining fur, also serviceable as a novelty; chiefly 
 used in Europe. 
 
 Lynx. — Variable in colour, brownish, light to dark, or spotted 
 with deeper brown or black; it is a soft fluft'y fur of considerable 
 utility when dyed black; used as neckwear, in sets, and trim- 
 mings; also dyed blue in imitation of blue fox. 
 
 Marmot. — A small fur in brownish and grayish effect, used as 
 a lining for coats and wraps. 
 
 Marten. — One of the handsomest of the rather fluffy furs, and 
 excellent for all fur-wear except articles certain to be subjected 
 to rough usage. 
 
 Mini:. — The American fur of quality, great durability and ex- 
 treme beauty; it is made up natural exclusively and with proper 
 care will last a lifetime; it is used in various forms — for coats, 
 jackets, capes, neckwear in every style, cloak and dress trim- 
 mings, mutt's, and high class head wear; good mink is costly but 
 not dear. 
 
 Mole. — Blueish-gray, soft, short fur; it is a very small skin, 
 useful for wraps, neckwear, and small articles. 
 
 Miiskrat. — A low cost fur of considerable utility, being serv- 
 iceable as a lining in all designs, for caps, gloves, muffs, and 
 trimmings; it is made up natural, unhaired and dyed in imita- 
 tion of seal, in which form it is sold under some of the names 
 bestowed on coney similarly treated. 
 
 Nutria. — Has long ranked as a valuable fur, as when plucked 
 or made up natural or dyed it closely resembles beaver; the fur 
 is soft and the leather is strong, making a combination essential 
 to durability; the skins are received exclusively from Central 
 America. 
 
 Opossum. — American opossum; is a low priced fur; made up 
 natural or dyed to imitate other furs; it is used for sets, collars, 
 cuffs, trimmings and children's furs. 
 
 — 48 — 
 
Australian Opossum.— Is a grayish-brown fur, which may be 
 used in making large collars, sets and linings. 
 
 Otter.- Sea otter is one of the choicest furs, and, like silver 
 fox, commands a price which only the wealthy can pay; a skin of 
 laro-e size in silvery effect, and perfect in fur-condition, is worth, 
 approximately, .12,000; the supply is small, and mainly required 
 by the nobility; sea otter makes a grand overcoat collar and tac- 
 iiitr, or full lining, and a muff that reveals its own worth. 
 
 *0«er.— Land otter is an exceptionally soft, durable fur, 
 whether used natural or dyed and haired ; it may be used for all 
 the purposes for which seal and beaver are adapted and is 
 sometimes sold as seal, but not by honourable furriers. 
 
 Raccoon.— A very desirable fur for men's coats, for common 
 wear in the colder sections of the country, for making carriage 
 and sleigh robes, and for sets to a limited extent, neckwear and 
 
 Sable.— A set of Russian sable furs, or sable garment — and 
 sweet contentment. 
 
 Seal.— Vor years the lady possessing a seal sacque has known 
 the greatest measure of satisfaction attainable by human nature; 
 capes, scarfs, stoles, muffs, trimmings, capes and overcoat lin- 
 ings are all approved if done in seal. 
 
 Skunh.—A good all-round American fur; black, glossy, tlutty, 
 
 and agreeably comfortable; made up as a collar, stole, cape or muff. 
 
 Squirrel.— This fur is from Siberia, about two million skins 
 
 being secured annually; it is used for neckwear, cloak linings and 
 
 children's sets; always made up natural though it may be dye^. 
 
 TFai/afiy.— The fur of a small kangaroo; used largely in Ku- 
 rope and elsewhere as a lining. _ . ^- i e 
 
 Wolf.—VS&ed to some extent in the production ot articles ot 
 feminine attire, but more especially for robes and rugs. 
 
 Wombat.— Gray dashed with black, rather long but somewhat 
 harsh fur, very desirable for making coats at moderate cost. 
 Wolverine.— A long fur, used for making collars, stoles and 
 
 iam6— Lambskins especially sundry diminutive specimens found 
 largely in Asia though not/iir, as the name plainly indicates, are of 
 large commercial interest "to furriers, and are constantly employed in 
 the production of garments, headwear and robes; and are erroneously 
 classed as furry by the public. These lambs embrace the following: 
 
 Persian, or Persian>ier.—\ superb article held in universal esteem 
 and regard by many as superior to seal, and more to be desired than 
 any of the fine furs, sable alone excepted; all Persian is curly, but the 
 so-called fur varies In this respect, being in instances closely or tightly 
 curled, and in other specimens rather open In curl; the former being 
 more valuable; a jacket of selected curly Persian, commands a good 
 price, is appropriate for either maiden or matron and has no rival for 
 
 — 40 — 
 
mourulng wear, as it Is always dyed black; otlier articles of ajiparel in 
 Persian include capes, stoles, small and large collars, muffs, trim- 
 ming for cloth garments and dresses, and collars and cuffs for men's 
 coats. Broad-tailed lamb ranks Persian in beauty and market value, 
 and is adapted to the same purposes. Asti'ddian lamb is curly, flat 
 and moire, according to the tightness and character of the curl, it is 
 similar to Persian, and used in the production of the same articles. 
 Kritntner. a lamb-skin seemingly the counterpart of Persian, is, how- 
 ever, made up in the natural, its colour being gray; at times it is 
 popular in the form of misses' and children's jackets, capes, collars, 
 sets, and headwear. The curly lamb-skins are also used to finish 
 winter gloves. Other lambs, more or less largely used in the fur trade 
 are chiefly, Thibet, Mongolian, and Moufflon. 
 
 (roat. — Angora, producing a skin with very long silky fleece, and 
 kid-skins with fleece of moderate length, are important in the trade 
 affording skilled fur-sewers large employment at satisfactory wages in 
 the production of coat linings, baby-carriage robes, and fancy trifles. 
 
 Aineririni Hina/i. — Coniiiionly known as the buffalo, was formerly an 
 animal of consiilcralile imiioitaiice. Us hiile lieing an article of general 
 utility throughout the length and breadth of tlie United States and 
 Canada, with the exception of extreme southern sections. The buf- 
 falo, though not a fur-bearing animal, has a coat resembling fur in 
 appearance, and somewhat like wool in texture, and yet unlike either; 
 the skin, when tanned is strong and durable, and the hide, considered 
 as a whole makes one of the most serviceable sleigh or carriage robes 
 ever produced. Through the seventies the term ••buffalo-robe" was 
 literally a household word in cities, towns and hamlets, and on nearly 
 every farm North, East, and West, the article designated, being com- 
 mended to universal favor by its many good <iualities; it was equally 
 protective during a cold snap or a rainy day, not only met the original 
 purpose, but served as an exceptionally warm bed covering in many 
 country homes, and withal was cheap, its price ranging from two dol- 
 lars to five dollars per robe, according to size and condition. 
 
 Between the years 1870 and 1880, the steady and seemingly limitless 
 demand for buffalo robes led to the rapid and wanton slaughter of the 
 prairie monarchs, roaming in countless numbers over the vast west- 
 ern plains of the United States, and upwards of one hundred and fifty 
 thousand robes were Ijrought into the market annually, with the re- 
 sult of so nearly exterminating the animal that hunting ceased alto- 
 gether. A single buffabi hide made a robe. Originally the robes 
 were purchased by collectors at frontier or Indian trading posts, the 
 collections consisting of small lots, as the Indian hunters never per- 
 mitted their love of gain to I'un to the extreme of the white man. The 
 early robes were •'Indian dressed "; the leather, skin side, being soft 
 and white, and more or less profusely ornamented with crudely drawn 
 figures of the ht)rse, buffalo, wigwams and hunting scenes done in red 
 and blue and yellow pigments. When the collection increased, and 
 
 — 50 — 
 
thousands of animals were killed in a day the hides were •• whiteman 
 dressed." and the robe was lined with felt or plush. 
 
 Monkey .— Tim skin of one specie of African monkey having a mod- 
 erately dense growth of long glossy hair, but absolutely no fur, is a 
 special article wrought into rather handsome capes, collars, muffs, and 
 trimmings; and is from time to lime extremely fashionable. 
 
 Tiger.— T\zft and leopard skins are occasionally used for making 
 novelties but are chiefly valued as floor rugs. 
 
 Fur of every grade may have its term of service materially ex- 
 tended by careful treatment. If, while being worn, it is carelessly 
 crushed against the backs of chairs, car seats, and every object of 
 possible contact; and, when taken off by the wearer, is 
 thoughtlessly thrown upon any convenient chair or Treatment 
 dresser or hung up any where and any how, it will of fur gar- 
 quickly show the marks of such improper usage. It nients when 
 will become broken, lustreless, flattened, and more or '" "^^• 
 
 less worn off in spots. A cloak, cape, or other fur 
 should, on removal be shaken, and then lightly brushed the wrong 
 iray of the fur with the hand to lighten up the fur. It should then be 
 hung up (on a coat-hanger) where it cannot press against other gar- 
 - ments. Fur that has been wet, either in a rain or snow-storm, should 
 be hung in a cool place to dry. It should never be dried by artificial 
 heat. Undue confidence is placed in camphor-balls, cedar-chips and 
 other odorous substances, and dark closets, for protection against 
 moths. Perfect protection in this regard may be secured by cold 
 storage, particularly in plants of this kind making a specialty of fur 
 storage, as the article placed therein is examined, dusted, and hung 
 in the cold room by experts in such matters. Fur is not only protected 
 against moths, but Is decidedly improved in appearance by being sub- 
 jected for a considerable time (the usual cold storage period) to a 
 steady low temperature, as it resumes its natural position on the skin, 
 and regains its natural lustre. The next best method is first to 
 thoroughly examine the fur to make sure that it Is free of moths, and 
 then suspend it in a sound linen bag tightly tied at the mouth. The 
 linportant part of this method is the preliminary examination to avoid 
 the presence of a single moth in the bag with the fur. 
 
 The steady increase in population and progress of civilization over 
 the earth, whereby the waste places are being transformed into cul- 
 tivated areas, villages and towns, miglit lead the causual observer to 
 suppose that the day cannot be very remote when the last fur-bearer 
 will join the great majority, and fur will be no more. Contrary to 
 this limited view the opinion, amounting to conviction, is entertained 
 that men and women, as in the days of yore, will ever be habited in 
 fur. It is a reasonable view. The statistics here given do not indicate 
 any marked decrease in supply. The records show that a fur that has 
 for a number of years been brought into the market in limited quan- 
 tity because not specially wanted, has suddenly, in a single trapping 
 
 — 51 — 
 
season, been brought forward In very large supply In response to the 
 demands of fashion, with a consequent Increase in price. Many fur- 
 bearing animals, noticeably skunk, mink, muskrat, raccoon, opossum 
 and fox, seem to thrive in fairly close proximity to man. Other 
 species will find ample breathing room in wild spaces for centuries to 
 come. Fur was the first clothing, and doubtless will remain as a 
 staple and ornamental, necessary and luxurious raiment of the race. 
 It is associated with the individual at the threshold of his existence, 
 in the baby-carriage robe of downy white fur, and it abides to the mo- 
 ment when in the form of the rug of black, purple, white, gold or 
 silver-gray fur, it is spread beneath the funeral casket of correspond- 
 ing hue. A. L. BELDEN. 
 August, lOOi. 
 
 52 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 liiiillPiiillil 
 
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