74 THE FUR TRADE OF AMERICA 



"Their lambs are exceptionally strong at birth, will mature 

 about one-third earlier than those of our native sheep and are equal 

 in size to our largest native breeds. In fact, the largest of the 

 Doozbai Karakuls, greatly excel in size. 



"Being free of the woolly taste of our native sheep the fat which 

 is the butter of Central Asia, is ideal for cooking purposes. Re- 

 member Karakuls require no feeding to accumulate great quantities 

 of fat. The meat of the Karakul is free from the sheepy taste and 

 has a delicious flavor of its own. 



"They belong to the broadtail and not to the fat-rump breeds, 

 and the fat is better distributed over the carcass than is the case 

 with the Persian fat-rump sheep with which the Karakul is some- 

 times confused. They are able to produce as much fat on weeds 

 and in the same length of time as native sheep fed on alfalfa and milo 

 maize. See tests made by the Hon. John M. Wyatt, treasurer of 

 the Panhandle & Southwestern Stock Men's Association, vice- 

 president First National Bank of El Paso, Texas. 



"The pelts of the lambs of this type, which die unavoidably 

 are worth from #4 to $10 each, which, in a season's lambing, is a 

 point worth considering. Among those prematurely born, one 

 often finds skins of rare value called 'broadtail,' baby lamb, 

 'unborn lamb,' etc., often valued at $20 wholesale. The ewes 

 are not slaughtered to obtain this fur as some dishonest furriers will 

 tell you. 



"As Fur Producers : 



"They are the only sheep which produce valuable fur. 



"The dressed skins of the Karakul lambs are known on the 

 fur market as 'Persian Lamb,' 'Broadtail,' 'Baby Lamb,' 'Kara- 

 kul,' 'Astrakhan,' and 'Krimmer.' The different grades depend 

 on the tightness of curl, lustre, and degree of pigmentation. 



"The so-called Persian sheep of this country is not a fur-produc- 

 ing sheep at all unless crossed with Karakul rams. The name 

 'Persian Lamb' comes from the fact the Persians were the first 

 to export Karakul skins to European markets. 



