12 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Russia as an important one, is indicated by the calling of a convention 

 of breeders at Moscow in October, 1912, at the special request of the Czar. 

 As a possible source of future fur supply, the karakule crossed with 

 lustrous woolled sheep like Lincolns and Cotswolds appears to be one 

 of the most promising. Experiments made recently have produced 

 lamb skins of magnificent gloss and curl. Because, however, of a 

 recently-enacted prohibition of export of fur-bearing sheep, from 

 Bokhara and Russia, it is feared that the animals already brought to 

 America cannot be augmented in number by new blood from Asia. 

 Enough sheep have been imported to prove the practicability of pro- 

 ducing on this continent the best grades of Persian lamb fur, and, if 

 too much in-breeding can be avoided, it is possible that the industry 

 may become established. 



Despite the progress that has been made in breeding 

 FuSbearers"^ karakule sheep, it must be acknowledged that domestica- 

 tion of fur-bearing animals has, thus far, failed to supply 

 the demand for pelts which are highly valued for fur. The increasing 

 demand and the ever-decreasing supply of desirable fur pelts is pro- 

 ducing a state of trade that would be alarming were it not for the possi- 

 bilities of domesticating and breeding other fur-bearers. The time 

 has come when, on account of the high range of prices, every effort 

 should be made to domesticate all wild fur-bearing animals of consid- 

 erable value. 



There is a broad field for activity in this direction. According to 

 Lantz' estimate, there are about five thousand species of mammals at 

 present inhabiting the earth. About twenty-three of these are in a 

 state of domestication, serving man as beasts of burden or furnishing 

 food, clothing, or companionship. 



The hoofed animals (ungulata) comprise: 



The Asiatic elephant, horse, ass, hog, camel, drbmedary, rein- 

 deer, goat, sheep, yak, buffalo (two species), ox (two species), and 

 llama (possibly four species). 



The flesh-eating animals (carnivora) comprise: 



The cat, dog, ferret and cheetah or hunting leopard of India. 



The rodent animals {rodentia) comprise: 



The rabbit and the guinea pig. 



The Arctic fox (vulpes lagopus) and the common fox (vulpes vulpes) 

 may be classed as domestic, as for twenty years they have been nurtured 

 under man's care, and the rising prices of fur will probably make the 



