94 U. S. BUBEATJ OF FISHERIES. 



Drying. — The drying may be done in anj' large room wliere an even tempera- 

 ture can be maintained. It is always desirable to dry tlie skins slowly and witli 

 as little artificial heat as possible. The present method is to lay the frames in 

 rows across light racks suspended from the ceiling at suitable intervals, the 

 remainder of the frames being stood up about the walls. With the improvement 

 of facilities this practice may be bettered. 



After a lapse of from four to six days on the stretching frames the skins may 

 be examined, and if dry all over, may be removed. The nose is one of the last 

 parts of the skin to become fully dry. The skin should also be examined for 

 excessive grease, and if any is found it must be removed with corn meal, for if 

 it is left it will putrefy and weaken the skin. In taking the skin from the frame 

 the hind and fore legs and tail are unbound and the skin gently started with the 

 palms of the hands, after which it may be pulled off by the nose. When the skin 

 has been removed from the frame a tag, bearing the date of capture, is tied into 

 the mouth or eyeholes and the skin is hung up in the drying room for a few 

 days, or until a sufficient number of pelts has accumulated for removal to the 

 storage room. 



Storing. — The two most important requirements for a storage room are dry- 

 ness and darkness. The necessity for keeping the skins dry is apparent; the 

 darkness is a safeguard against the fading of the fur, as the darkest furs com- 

 mand the highest prices. In storing the skins they are usually tied through 

 the nose into clusters of 10 skins each, and these bunches are carefully tallied 

 when stored. All the skins are again counted at the close of the season so as to 

 verify the record of animals killed. 



Shipping. — Fox skins are packed and shipped in boxes made of 1-inch boards 

 of spruce or Douglas fir (spruce is preferable), with inside dimensions of 58 

 inches in length. 16 inches in width, and 12 inches in depth. The case is pro- 

 vided with a set of battens near each end, which lend rigidity to the whole and 

 at the same time prevent any face of the box from coming into solid contact with, 

 a flat surface. 



The i»acking of the skins is usually done within a day or two of the time 

 shipment is to be made. The cases are lined with tarred building paper and 

 relined with wrapping or newspaper as a protection against insects and damp- 

 ness. The skins are carefully counted and laid flat in the case; unnecessary 

 folding or creasing is to be avoided. The skins are shipped pelt side out. 

 From 40 to 4.5 skins may be packed in a case such as the one described above. 



After the proper number of skins has been packed in the box, the top is 

 closed with the layei's of paper and then the cover. The cover is nailed to the 

 sides and ends of the case and to the battens on the sides. All cracks and 

 holes are then cIoshI by tacking on strips of galvanized iron or sheet zinc. The 

 cases should be marked on both sides with the name and address of the con- 

 signee, the serial number and gross weight of the case, the number of skins it 

 contains, and the legends, "Keep Away From Boiler Bulkheads" and "Keep 

 Dry." 



Disposition of Carcasses. 



The disposition of fox carcasses is a matter of some importance. It is well 

 known that foxes are, as a general rule, infested with ])arasites and intestinal 

 worms of various kinds, and it should always be the elfort of the agent to see 

 that the carcasses of foxes killed are disposed of in such a manner sis to pre- 

 vent any jjossibility of infection from that source. The bodies of foxes found 

 dead should be handU'd in a similar n)aiiner when practicable. The method now 

 in use is that of putting the bodies into a covered pit. a practice both simple 

 and effective. 



Breeding Reserve. 



Seieciion of aninmls. — The breeding foxes must be selected with care. The 

 points of judgment are: (1) The condition of the teeth; (2) depth of color and 

 condition of fur, short fur or white patches indicating an undesirable animal; 

 and (3) weight, reserved males to weigh not less than 11 pounds and females 

 not less than 8^ iiounds. Cripples are always killed, though a short-tailed 

 fox may be rel<^ase<l it the animal appears to be a particularly desirable one 

 from other points of judgment. 



Since the beginning of the present methodof handling foxes on St. George 

 Island it has been constantly the jjurpose to eliminate the white foxes. That 

 it has been parti-ally successful is shown by the presence of only 4 white 



