The Fur Animals of Louisiana 385 



This accomplished, the muskrat skins so treated are 

 immersed in huge dyeing vats, where the chemicals act 

 upon the lower part of the hairs. While being dyed the 

 skins are also subjected to mixing. This first dyeing is 

 lighter in tone and hue to the dyeing received in subsequent 

 operations, this being done so as to accentuate a difference 

 between the colors of the dyes and that a coveted lustrous 

 effect be secured. 



After the initial dyeing the skins are placed in a hori- 

 zontal centrifuge, a machine resembling somewhat a huge 

 bass drum, and in this appliance the skins are revolved at 

 a very high speed. Due to the centrifugal force thus cre- 

 ated, all superfluous liquids in the pelts are thrown off and, 

 when this extractor is stopped and the skins removed, it is 

 found that the pelts are not only practically dry but thor- 

 oughly pliable and very susceptible to the dyeing process 

 which follows. 



Before securing this second dyeing the muskrat skins 

 are removed to a drying room, which is heated to an even, 

 predetermined temperature and with fans keeping this 

 heated air in constant circulation, the skins dry evenly. A 

 drum, containing an amount of sawdust, next receives the 

 skins and through this drumming operation the skins are 

 revolved in the sawdust, which cleans the fur and pelt of 

 all foreign matter which might have accumulated in pre- 

 vious operations, and it might be added that the drumming 

 operation is repeated at the finish of all subsequent oper- 

 ations to insure a thoroughly cleaned pelt leaving the 

 establishment. 



Hand-applied black dye and dye applied by certain me- 

 chanical contrivances follow so as to give the finished 

 product a solid, velvety and lustrous black demanded in 

 the better grade of Hudson seal by the trade and the women 

 who still yearn for a black fur in this day of the more 

 bizarre effects and a demand for the natural color of the 

 pelage of wild animals. 



After the dyeing processes have ended, the skins are 

 finally fleshed to remove any particles of flesh or grease 

 from the pelt side of the skin. In this operation a special 



