340 



ANNUAL EEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1930 



ing of this number of animals Avill not only consume the surplus but 

 will also make inroads on the basic breeding stock or capital. Under 

 these conditions a wise administration demands that the taking of 

 part of this number be prevented. How can this be done and still 

 satisfy the trapper, the manufacturer, and the consuming public? 

 If the season be shortened a little at both ends, reducing it to two 

 months, let us suppose that this will save 50 animals and that it 

 will prevent encroaching on the breeding stock. It is a matter of 

 surprise to many that the 950 animals taken in two months will be 

 worth more than would be the 1,000 taken in three months. 



/? means of- }llustr<at/n^ the adyant-q^es of short- ^ 

 open seasons f^or the tcihing of Janet fl/r-Jbearers 



Figure 8 



This may be illustrated by combining the graph showing pelt value 

 by primeness with that showing the total fur taken by months. Of 

 the 1,000 animals trapped, the 575 of the first month of the open 

 season will be taken mainl}^ before they are prime or in the best 

 market condition; the 375 of the second month are the only ones 

 taken within the period of their maximum value ; and the 50 of the 



