2'JU KKi'turr ok cuMMiasiowEii of fish and fisufkifs. 



FUR DRESSING AND DYEING. 



The uppciiraiu'c of aquatic furs iis tlicv coiiu' U\nu the hunters and 

 trappers is (juite dillerent from tliat which they present when reach- 

 to be cut into garments. They are more or less or(>;isy and dirtv and 

 rcipiire thorough cleansing. The pelt or menihrane must l)e converted 

 into a form of leather and made soft and ])lial)le, and in some varieties 

 it must ))e reduced in thickness. The overhair of many skins is ([uitc 

 undesirable and must b(> removed, this being the case with the fur- 

 seal, beavei', nutria, and cheap grad(>s of otter. The overhair is not 

 removed from all varieties, howcAcr; for in some it constitutes the 

 principal attraction, as in the sea-otter, mink, muskrat, and choice 

 grades of otter. The fur-seal alone among the a<|uatics is usually 

 dyed, but many cheap grades of other varieties are also dyed for the 

 purpose of imitating more valuable ones. 



In the dressing of acjuatic f urs there are no especiall}' valuable trade 

 secrets; but, as in nearly every other industr\-, some establishments 

 have methods of treatment which they consider superior to those used 

 b}^ others and which they desire to keep from general use. As a rule, 

 however, these secret processes arc for the purpose of substitution or 

 imitation, and have little standing among the most successful fur- 

 dressers. In the best establishments the excellent results are due to 

 conscientious application of well-known methods, without stint either 

 in amount of labor or quality of material. 



The fur-dressers of the United States are preeminent in the prep- 

 aration of otter, mink, and beaver, while those of Germany rank well 

 in dressing beaver and muskrat furs. The English have excelled for 

 forty 3'ears in the dressing and dyeing of fur-seal skins and have pre- 

 pared the great bulk of those on the market, })iit the Americans and 

 French now prepare them equally well. The Chinese fur-dressers are 

 the most ancient and among the best in the world. They dress sea- 

 otter skins remarkabl}' well and secure wonderful effects in matching 

 furs of all kinds. 



The principal fur-dressing establishments in this country are located 

 in New York City, where the great bulk of the skins are prepared. 

 Smaller establishments exist in Chicago, St. Paul, Newark, and Phil 

 adelphia. In Europe the fur-dressing is centered at Leij)sic, Weis- 

 senfels, and Lindenau, Germany; London, England; Pai'is and Lj'ons, 

 France; and Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. 



When received at the fur-dressers, peltries are usually ha id. greasy, 

 and dirt}'. If ver}' greasy, as in the case of mink skins, the surplus 

 grease is scraped or beamed off'. The skins are soaked in Avater over 

 night for softcMiing and opening the texture prcpartitoiw to the 

 unhairing and leathering processes. Salt water is generally used for 

 soaking, especisdl} during warm weather, as its tendency to loosen 



