182 FERRET FACTS AND FANCIES. 



Who knows how soon fashion's fancy flurry 

 flames for ferret furs may turn? When it does 

 and prices are as much or more than can be had 

 for the animals for hunting purposes skins can 

 be sold. The prime fur season extends from 

 about the middle of November to February so 

 that those not sold during summer, fall or early 

 winter can be killed thus saving the expense of 

 wintering and keeping until another season. 



Perhaps the principal reason that ferret fur 

 has not been more generally used is that manu- 

 facturers have not been able to secure the skins 

 in large enough quantities to justify handling 

 them. When dealers are assured that there are 

 thousands of the skins awaiting a market it is 

 reasonable to suppose that the pelts will be of 

 value and quoted by all collectors, dealers and 

 exporters same as mink, marten, ermine, musk- 

 rat and skins of other animals having fur value. 



Not long since a certain manufacturer, in a 

 large eastern city, began using common brown 

 weasel for certain articles. He reported no 

 trouble in selling the furs made from or trimmed 

 with such. These furs looked nice and were sold 

 at a moderate price. Ferret pelts are sure to 

 come into general use and that soon. Why? 

 Skunk fur was not of commercial value or used 

 until 1858. The white weasel (ermine) prior to 



