FUR FACTS 245 



these points should be taken into consideration first. Otter pelts 

 taken in season are nearly always prime. On account of the scarcity 

 of otter in some sections, they are valued very high locally and buy- 

 ers often greatly overpay for them, especially the poor skins. Case 

 otter pelt side out as shown in the illustration. 



ERMINE OR WHITE WEASEL 



Ermine, or white weasel, are graded by the size, clearness of the 

 skin and depth of fur ; but regardless of size and quality of the fur, if 

 the white weasel has brown or gray hairs 

 sprinkled through it, it cannot be graded 

 as a pure white skin, and they are known 

 as gray ermine. 



The first consideration in buying ermine is to see that the skins 

 are pure snow white, and full furred. Pelts with dark spots on them 

 usually indicate that the fur is not perfectly white and has brown or 

 gray hairs scattered through it. 



FISHER 



Fisher are graded and valued entirely by the color and silkiness 

 of the skin and not so much the size. The softer and silkier the skins 



and the better the color, the more 

 valuable. As a rule the small female 

 fisher are of finer quality and of better 

 color than the large male fisher. The 



pelt should be soft and pliable. Heavy, boardy pelted skins are 

 usually graded as number two's. 



MARTEN 



Marten are valued according to the color, depth and silkiness of 

 the fur, although of two skins of equal quality and color the larger 

 would be the more valuable. The most important thing to consider 

 in valuing marten is the color. There 

 are three classifications, dark, brown 

 and pale. The finer skins are almost 

 black in color and at times show a 

 few white hairs. The next color is a rich brown. The pale skins 

 are a very light brown, and in some sections are almost yellow. 

 The darker the fur the more valuable the skin. Marten should al- 

 ways be cased and stretched with the fur out as shown in 

 illustration. 



