288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



bo3^s fiiicl profit and sport in niatcliing tlicir sliill and cunning- against 

 those of the wary animals. The greater portion of the peltries, how- 

 ever, are secured by professional trappers and hunters, who devote 

 themselves entirely to that work during the season. 



In taking or killing fur-bearing animals the use of guns or spears is 

 avoided whenever possible, as they injui'e the skin by making holes in 

 the pelt. Shooting is especially wasteful in taking aquatic animals, 

 since a large percentage of these sink wheii shot, and are thus lost; 

 furthermore, the shot cut paths in the fur, sometimes several inches in 

 length. Neither should they be taken by poisoning, as this spoils the 

 skin, the poison spreading through the body of the animal and injuring 

 the texture and gloss of the fur, greatly depreciating its value. 



The best method of taking these animals is by clubbing them on the 

 head whenever that is practicable, as in the case of fur-seals, or by 

 means of steel traps in case of the smaller and wilder animals. 



Previous to 1670 the fur trade was centered in Leipsic, Amsterdam, 

 Paris, and Vienna, the markets of Leipsic being the most important. 

 Comparatively few choice furs were handled in London or in any mar- 

 ket center other than those named. But shortl}^ after the inaugu- 

 ration of its business in 1670, the Hudson's Bay Compan}^ began dis- 

 posing of its receipts of peltries at public auction in London. Within 

 a few years the continental markets relinquished the bulk of their 

 trade to the new insular rival, and from that time to the present 

 London has been preeminent as the greatest fur center of the world. 

 The series of sales occurring at stated intervals at the various ware- 

 houses in that city dispose of the great bulk of the world's product of 

 fancy furs. The American merchant, for instance, goes to London to 

 buy the pelts that were obtained and shipped even from the vicinit}' 

 of his own home. The reason for this is not difficult to discover. The 

 principal fur company of the world has its headquarters in that city; 

 the fur trade is better understood there at present than in any other 

 large commercial center, and the importance of its being centralized 

 makes it comparatively eas}^ to hold when once secured; also the busi- 

 ness ranks well among the London bankers, and they advance money 

 on consignments of furs, and the consignor can negotiate his bill of 

 lading on the receipt of his bales of peltries. 



Although none compares in extent with that of London, there are 

 several other markets which assist in the general work of distribution. 

 Most celebrated among these are the fairs at Leipsic, which have 

 existed over five hundred years. The Easter fair is the most important. 

 This conmiences a week after Easter and lasts about two or three 

 weeks. Large quantities of American peltries, especiall}' muskrat 

 and mink, are disposed of there. Fui's are marketed in nuich smaller 

 quantities at two other fairs held in Leipsic, one at Michaelmas and 

 the other at New Year. 



