310 REPOET OF COMMISSIOI^ER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



eighteenth and the early part of the nineteenth century the skins were 

 accepted as currency throughout the western part of Canada and the 

 United States and were the standard for bartering with Indians. 



It was not long before the market demands outran the resources of 

 nature and the beaver was in danger of extermination. The price of 

 the skins increased correspondingly, selling at times for $8 or ^10 per 

 pound, and the finished hat for |20 or more. At length the supply 

 of the fur became so inadequate that other materials were necessarily 

 substituted, resulting about 1839 in the general adoption of the silk 

 hat by the fashionable world. 



The demand from manufacturers of hats diminishing, the price of 

 beaver pelts fell so low that the hunt proved unprofitable. Later a 

 demand developed for the skins in the dressed-f ur trade, and the price 

 became steadj" at about $2 or $3 each. This fur became fashionable 

 about twenty years ago, and the indications are that it will be in favor 

 for many years. Small quantities, partly damaged in the curing, are 

 yet used by the hatters, but its employment is mainly as dressed fur 

 for caps, mufflers, gloves, trimmings, etc. Sometimes entire gar- 

 ments are made of it, but its weight makes it objectionable for that 

 purpose. The darker pelts are usually purchased for the European 

 and Canadian markets, while the medium and paler shades are worked 

 up for consumption in this country. 



The greater portion of the beaver skins taken on the American con- 

 tinent during the last 200 years have been handled at the London 

 auction sales. The first sale occurred on January 21, 1672, and was 

 an event of much importance. From that time to the present the 

 total number of skins handled in London approximates 30,000,000 with 

 a total valuation of $100,000,000. The average annual sales at present 

 approximate 50,000 in number. 



In addition to those handled in London, about 20,000 beaver skins 

 are now marketed each year, being sold at Leipsic and at private sale 

 in the United States and Canada. This makes a total of about 70,000 

 skins marketed annually in recent 3'ears, of which about 10,000 are 

 obtained in the United States and 60,000 in the Dominion of Canada. 



In the markets, beaver skins are classed not onl}^ according to the 

 general localities whence they are obtained, but also according to their 

 size and the quality of the fur. In assorting them four grades are 

 recognized. Those of the first grade have a fiesh-colored pelt, which 

 appears fresh and sound, and with long heavy fur, which separates 

 down to the membrane when blown into and appears uniformly even, 

 fine, and silky. The seconds are almost clear in the pelt and the fur 

 only slightly scant or poor. In the thirds the fur is thin, scant and 

 poor, and the pelt dark. Fourths are of the poorest quality, with pelt 

 almost black or bluish-green color, and the fur short and thin. Each 

 of these grades is divided according to size, the large, medium, small, 

 and kitts. The prices range from $1.25 for the poorest to $10, $12, 



