331 



following data concerning the number of pelts they 

 handle yearly, and which they buy in Chester and 

 neighboring counties, territory which embraces many 

 of the most productive and valuable farms in this 

 Commonwealth: 



"There are from 300 to 500 persons in Chester county (which, 

 by the way, ranks as the third agricultural county in the United 

 States) whose chief occupation is trapping. The average yearly 

 catch of a sltillful trapper of skunks is about 100, but some in- 

 dustrious and skillful trappers secure considerably more than 

 this number. Except along the Brandywine and its large tri- 

 butaries few muskrats are taken in Chester county. Exper- 

 ienced 'rat' trappers along the historic Brandywine average 

 about 100 'rats' a season. One individual last year caught be- 

 tween 200 and 300. We obtain about 200 minks annually. These 

 animals by reason of their aquatic habits, are found chiefly 

 along the Brandywine and its large feeders, and they also fre- 

 quent mill dams, where stone and rubbish are plentiful. We 

 have handled annually for the last five years not less than 

 5.000 skunks, of which 75 per cent, were taken in Chester county. 

 Our books for the last five years show that we have purchased 

 on an average each year, the following additional fur-bearing 

 animals: 8,000 muskrats, 2,000 opossums, 25 red foxes, 500 rac- 

 coons. We never got a gray fox in Chester county, from which, 

 at least, three-fourths of all the pelts we obtain come. We are 

 the largest buyers of raw furs in Chester county, and in our 

 opinion it would be a fair estimate to say we buy one-half of 

 the skins taken in this region, so by doubling the figures given 

 you can form a good idea of the number of fur-bearing animal.'; 

 which yearly are marketed from Chester and a few districts of 

 the neighboring counties." 



