FARMERS' PRODUCE 173 



removal of the fur ; that is why the light-pelted skins are worth 

 more than the heavy. The fur on the rabbit-skin does not show 

 on the outside ; it is covered by coarse, hairy fibres which grow 

 over it. If you blow the hairy fibres aside, the soft, slaty-coloured 

 fur can be seen. The coarse, hairy fibres are not used in the 

 manufacture of hats, as they possess no felting qualities. Winter 

 skins contain most fur and therefore are the most valuable. There 



[Photo by Author. 



RABBIT-SKIXS. 



1. First winter skin, pelt all white. 



2. Second winter skin, black spots on pelt. 



3. Second summer skin, image of rabbit sitting up, in black on pelt. 



are several qualities of winter skins, but I will deal with the 

 principal sorts. These are first winter, second winter, and 

 " incoming " skins. 



The first winter skins consist of those that have an all-white 

 pelt, second winter skins have black spots all over the pelt. (See 

 diagram.) Where there is a black spot on the pelt the fur on 

 the opposite side is not full grown ; this can be detected by blow- 



