312 KKPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



or four hours. Next they are placed with sawdust in tubs, where they 

 are trainpcHJ l)v barefooted workmen for about three hours, each tub 

 contaiiiiiit;" about twent}' skins. 



On removal from the tramping tubs the pelts are thoroughly 

 stretched by hand, and the leather side dampened over night pre})ara- 

 tory to sha\'ing on the following day. Shaving is the most dillicult 

 feature and is intrusted only to skilled workmen. Each skin is placed, 

 fur down, on a perfecth^ smooth hard- wood l)eam, similar to that used 

 in skiving, and by means of a skiving knife the operator shaves off the 

 membrane of the pelt until the roots of the fur are almost visible. 



The skins are again stretched lengthways and crossways ])y hand, 

 dried, and for the second time placed in tiie tramping tul)s with hard- 

 wood sawdust for further softening and leathering. After two or 

 three hours' tramping they are removed, straightened or stretched 

 out, and returned for two or three hours further tramping. They 

 are next thoroughly beaten with bamboo sticks to remove the saw- 

 dust, and then combed with a fine steel comb to lighten up the fur. 

 The skins are then placed on a beam and by means of a large liat- 

 bladed knife, sharp as a razor, a workman shaves over the top surface 

 of the fur, removing all scattering hairs and impurities, thus complet- 

 ing the dressing process. 



While it is not customary to dye beaver fur, many light skins are 

 blended to a darker shade, and a few are dyed in much the same man- 

 ner as fur-seal. Some few skins are l)leached golden brown, and a 

 smaller number to a creamy white. Some are silvered ))y passing 

 lightly over them a solution of sulphuric acid, and some are made a 

 golden yellow b}" means of peroxide of hydrogen. 



About twenty j'^ears ago many beaver skins were '"pointed," the 

 plain solid color 1)eing ornamented l)y inserting white hairs at irregu- 

 lar intervals, in imitation of the pelage of the sea-otter or the silver 

 fox. The hairs were generally sewed in the pelt by wig-makers, but 

 in some cases they were firmly fastened with cement, l^adger hairs 

 were most frequently employed, but white hairs of the gra}' fox, 

 cony, and skunk were also used. On account of its varied white tips, 

 the hair of the Egyptian ichneumon was also in great dcMuand, being- 

 superior to the hair of the fox, or even the badger. Some skins were 

 likewise ornamented with the white tips of small feathers taken from 

 the breast of the gre))e and less fre(|uently of the peacock. This 

 ornamentation was quite fashionable from 1881 to 1881-. 



Beaver fur is especially serviceable for making hats because of its 

 remai'ka])le felting characteristics and its durat)ility and glossiness. 

 So strong are its felting properties that coats made from cloth of this 

 material, manufactured soleh^ by the felting process, have been known 

 to wear for years, and it is claimed that in former times beaver fur 

 was sometimes felted for hosier3' purposes. While it is the most 

 desirable of all furs for hat-making, its high cost prevents its general 



