234 FUR FACTS 



number one small mink from Alaska. In the same manner a skunk 

 from Kentucky that would grade prune large, would grade small 

 from Dakota. We mention this because fiu-s from different sections 

 vary in size, quality, and color, but a pelt from any section to grade 

 No. 1 prime must be prime pelted and full furred as described above. 



Unprime Pelts — ^The flesh side of an unprime skin is a bluish 

 color, and such skins are called blue or unprime. Pelts of this kind 

 usually grade number twos, threes, or fours, according to the amount 

 of fur on the pelt. Some unprime skins have a flesh or pelt side that 

 is almost black in color. Pelts of this kind are usually very poor in 

 fur and are low grades and of little value for fur purposes. 



Furs that grade as twos, threes or fours, are usually blue pelted, 

 but a skin may be red pelted and not be number one prime. This 

 would apply especially to skins that are trapped in the late Spring 

 of the year, when the pelts are red, but very dry and brittle, and the 

 fur is rubbed or shedded. These are known as "springy" or "rubbed" 

 skins, and are usually classed as number twos, threes, or fours, the 

 same as the blue pelted skins; in other words, they are not number 

 one prime pelted furs. 



Furs become unprime due to any one of several causes. As a rule 

 blue pelted unprime skins are found before real cold weather sets in, 

 and before the animal has developed a heavy coat of under fur. The 

 pelt side of the skin indicates the health and condition of the animal 

 and the quaUty and thickness of the fur. Blue pelted skins, as a 

 rule, indicate that all the fur has not fully developed. 



A few skins are found to be blue pelted even when the animal is 

 taken in real cold weather and at the best time of the year. This 

 may be caused by the animal being diseased or sick. 



In buying furs, or grading furs, a safe rule is to class unprime and 

 springy or shedded skins as number twos, threes, or fours, according 

 to the quahty of the fur and the condition of the pelt and the size. 



In spite of all that has been written about not trapping out of 

 season, there is a certain number of inexperienced trappers who take 

 furs at the wrong season. These furs are of little or no value. 

 Again, animals are diseased and even when taken in the winter their 

 coats are mangy, shedded and of httle value for fur purposes. Singed 

 furs, especially mink, must be watched, for the singed fur is the same 

 as a hair that is burned; the end of such hair being usually curled. 

 Animals that lay out in a strong sunlight often have the top guard 

 hair singed. This is especially true of otter. Many otter skins that 

 would otherwise be perfect in fur and pelt have the top or guard 



