288 REPOKT OF COMMISSIONKK (»K FISH AND FlSHFlllES. 



boys find protit and sport in matchinj^ their skill and c'unnin<^ against 

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

 ever, are secured by professional trappers and hunters, who <Ie\ote 

 themselves entireh' 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 injure the skin 1)}" making holes in 

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

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

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

 length. Neither should they l)e taken b}' 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 shortly after the inaugu- 

 ration of its business in 107(1, the Hudson's Bay Company 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 vicinity 

 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 comparativel}'^ 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 disti-ibution. 

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

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

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

 weeks. Large quantities of American peltries, especially muskrat 

 and mink, are disposed of there. Furs are marketed in nuich smaller 

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

 the other at New Year. 



