8 4 



THE FUR TRADE OF AMERICA 



Badger . 

 Beaver 

 Ermine . 



Fitch . . 

 Silver Fox 

 Red Fox . 

 Marten . 



Stone . . 



Mink . . 



Muskrat . 

 Otter . . 



Coon . . 

 Sable . . 

 Skunk 



Squirrel . 



Rabbit . 



Fisher 



A moment's reflection explains why these great authorities differ 

 so widely in certain furs, why America will have a large sale of 

 otter and London a small one. When prices fall owing to any 

 cause whatsoever, a whim of fashion or war, it is the custom in 

 London to withdraw the fur from market and hold it in storage 

 till the price goes back to at least what was paid the trapper. In 

 America, all furs consigned are sold, though they may be bidden 

 in by their own sellers. Petersen computes what the trade is selling, 

 Brass what the fur world is producing ; and there again storage may 

 hold huge quantities off the market for intervals ; but these totals 

 give some idea to what proportions the world fur trade is now 

 reaching. 



