PRICES. 



67 



PRICES. 



The prices of skins are regulated by the condition of the 

 pelt as well as the quality of the fur. If they have been 

 torn in the trap or riddled with shot or otherwise mutil- 

 ated they cannot be graded as No. 1 skins, no matter how 

 fine the quality of the fur. The skins that have been well 

 stretched and dyed bring better prices than those of the 

 same quality that have been carelessly handled. Collectors 

 always prefer minks, muskrats, otters, fishers, opossums and 

 skunks when they are "cased"; that is, not cut open on 

 the belly. Experts are able to judge the quality of cased 

 skins by the appearance of the pelt. The veiny skins are 

 generally poor in quality; and half -seasoned skins have a 

 dark bluish stripe down the back or side. The pelt of stagy 

 skins is quite dark, having a uniform blue hue. 



The question of locality is also an important factor in 

 determining the value of skins; for instance, the finest 

 skunks are found in Ohio, while the best minks come from 

 northern New York, Maine, and Nova Scotia. As a gen- 

 eral rule the furs of the eastern are better than those of 

 the western provinces of Siberia; but the ermine near the 

 Rivers Irkutz, Oby and Ishin form a notable exception, 

 being worth three times more than those found beyond 

 the Lena River. 



