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curled black or gray wool characteristic of the " Persian lamb," "astra- 

 khan," "krimmer," etc., of furriers. These animals were originally 

 raised in the Karakul and other districts of West Turkestan, but the 

 industry has now spread to eastern and central Europe and even to 

 Africa and America. It is interesting to note that it is here the very 



PIG. 135. Karakul sheep and very young lamb, the latter showing desired 

 tight, uniform, and lustrous curl, evenly distributed all over the body. The ewe 

 is an imported Karakul. (From Marshall, Heller, and McWhorler, Karakul Sheep.) 



young lambs that are killed for their hides. If a very tight curl is 

 desired the lamb is killed within three or four days of birth; if a more 

 open curl is wanted, the lamb is allowed to live for, perhaps, five or six 

 weeks. As the skin of a three-day-old lamb may bring $5 or more it 

 would seem that the raising of these animals should be highly profitable. 

 As an illustration of the methods of fur farming a brief description 

 of those employed in rearing foxes in captivity will suffice. 



