86 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



may be a little early as yet to make these predictions. To overcome 

 this pending danger, the most stringent measures must be taken imme- 

 diately. Already, the Emir has taken steps prohibiting the exportation 

 of karakuls from Bokhara into countries other than Russia. Already, 

 Persia and Afghanistan have some karakuls and these brought to 

 America were secured by a third (Russian) party who acted as a go- 

 between to overcome these laws of the Emir. This proves that they 

 are somewhat ineffective. There are taken out of Bokhara 1,500,000 

 skins yearly." 



The laws of European Russia now prohibit the exportation of kara- 

 kuls and the quarantine laws of Canada, England and the United States 

 provide very strict regulations, guarding against the possible intro- 

 duction of Asiatic sheep diseases. 



These facts, together with the difficult language, demonstrate 

 the seeming hopelessness of securing more sheep for America. 



If the Persian lamb fur can be economically produced in America, 

 it will lessen the importations and would ensure a very important 

 industry supplying a market capable of absorbing about a million 

 skins yearly. Only six known distinct blood lines of Bokharan karakul 

 sheep are in America and a number of these are represented in the 

 Prince Edward Island herd. If success can be achieved with them, 

 Canada will be an important distributing point for these animals. 

 The successful production of Persian lamb would also supply the market 

 with breeding stock at high prices. 



The following circular on karakul sheep has been issued by the 

 United States Department of Agriculture.* 



KARAKUL OR ARABI SHEEP 

 "The numerous inquiries directed to the Department of Agriculture 

 concerning the Persian lamb industry have led to the compilation of 

 the following information. 



"Persian lamb skins are the product of the young of the karakul 

 or arabi sheep and not of the Persian breed of sheep. These sheep 

 are native of Bokhara, in Russian Turkestan, and are not found in 

 Arabia, and only to a small extent in Persia. A number of other 

 terms have been used in connection with the industry some of these 

 being used interchangeably with Persian lamb. Among these are 

 'broadtail,' 'astrakhan,' and 'krimmer.' The term 'broadtail' is ap- 

 plied to skins of lambs of karakul blood born before the close of 

 the regular gestation period. Astrakhan and krimmer skins are sup- 

 posed to come from sheep of somewhat different breeding. 



*In the letter accompanying the karakul sheep circular, it is stated that: "We 

 have not felt justified in publishing a bulletin upon karakul sheep raising. In- 

 cjuiries have been so numerous, however, that we prepared a circular, copy of which 

 is enclosed, embodying what little we feel safe in saying at the present time." 



