the United States, coupled with a vastly increased 

 demand, leads the department to urge domestication 

 of the animals and the establishment of preserves 

 where they may be safe from molestation. 

 To Prevent Extermination 



Unless fur-bearing animals are rigidly conserved, 

 the Biological Survey declares in Department Circular 

 135, the time is not far away when many of the more 

 valuable species will be exterminated and furs will be 

 worn only by the very rich. This fact is said to be 

 recognized by the fur trade generally, and by indi- 

 viduals who have made a study of the subject. 



Directly or indirectly fur contributes to the sup- 

 port or comfort of a large part of the population of 

 the United States. We import as much fur as we 

 produce. In other words, we could sell at home twice 

 as much fur as we are now producing, in addition to 

 the foreign demand. 



Since 1914, the center of the fur trade has been 

 transferred to the United States. The greatest fur 

 sales in history are nowi being held here, and all 

 branches of fur dressing, dyeing, and manufacturing 

 are being successfully carried on by American enter- 

 prise. 



Most of the fur goods produced in America are 

 manufactured in or near New York City, where in 

 1918 there were about 60 dressing and dyeing plants, 

 500 dealers, 1,200 manufacturers, 18,000 operatives, 

 and an investment estimated at between $200,000,000 

 and $300,000,000. 



Values of skins have risen to heights that have 

 surprised even those on the inside, and skins that 



27 



