28 
BULLETIN 1350, L\ S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
side out, and immediately replaced. After another day or two it 
should be again removed and hung on a rope to finish drying. The 
drying usually takes about four or five days, and should not be hur- 
ried by use of artificial heat as this has a tendency to injure it. 
After the skin is thoroughly dry it is shaken vigorously and 
worked with the hand to make it pliable. It is then brushed with 
a stiff brush and rubbed with burlap to remove all foreign mate- 
rial. A comb may be used, if necessary, to remove dead hairs. All 
cleaning is done by hand, and no chemicals should be applied. 
Frequent handling and brushing 
at this time does not injure the 
pelt, but rather puts it in better 
condition for the raw-fur market. 
CHARACTERISTICS OF A 
GOOD PELT 
Primeness. — In general, in judg- 
ing a blue-fox- pelt the main thing 
to be kept in mind is quality, and 
this is affected by many factors. 
First, the pelt must be prime. 
This is determined by examining 
the skin side, which, if the pelt is 
fresh, should be fairly white or 
cream-colored and show some 
" life " when handled. This side 
turns yellow with age and loses its 
firmness. The skin should be per- 
fectly and evenly furred, both on 
the back and on the belly, with the 
fur reasonably long, lustrous, and 
silky. Guard hairs should be 
evenly and thickly distributed, as 
the silky texture and luster are 
largely dependent upon them. 
The brush should be sufficiently 
long to maintain a balance with 
the rest of the pelt. There should 
be no rubbed spots or defects. 
Clearness of color is an impor- 
tant factor in determining the 
quality of a pelt. There should be 
no tinge or rust to give the charac- 
teristic chocolate or brownish cast. Careful fur buyers make a greater 
cut in the price of a pelt having a rust or tinge than for any other 
defect. As a rule, more is paid for a clear, bright-colored pelt not 
so well furred than for a well-furred skin with a brownish or faded 
appearance. 
Size is the last consideration in valuing a pelt. A difference of 3, 
4, or 5 inches does not reduce the value of a skin, provided it passes 
other requirements. An extra large pelt is not desirable, for the 
principal reason that it is not becoming to the average wearer. 
B20I0M 
Fig. 27. — Pelts on drying frames, illus- 
trating method of thoroughly drying 
legs and hrush 
