New-York tribune., 1903-03-01

I.vons, y. V, Feb. 2S CSpecial}.-The snap Of
steel traps on clear winter nights in frozen
swanps and beside icebound streams is becom-
tng so frequent in Wester- New-York that soon
fhis mart Of the country will have another INDUS
Try TO bring it into prominence besides its apples
and its wheat. To view the hundreds OF busy
villages smoky cities, isolated dryhouses ana
long low brick manufactures along country
roads fne Gotham traveller would never for a
moment suspect that wher the wind blows
colder from the northwest and the frost is fol-
lowed by the snow the industry Of the fields is
not slsckened. Lut only directed along another
patb In a word Western New-York is estab-
fishing q record for itself a fur producing
centre Ii never hopes TO rival the Hudson Bay
country nor the cold plains OF the Far North
vest but in its own way its swamps and under
brush furnish many rich woman with the lux
urious warmth which surrounds her form in BIT
ter days Of winter
The extent to which this industry has devel-
oped is seen from the fact that fur company
has already been formed, WITH headquarters In
this city. Its head. H. G. Dickerson, has so far
this Inter Purchased $4,000 worth of furs and
shipped them @ New-York. The season is not
yet over. and it is probable that at least $1,000
more will be expended in further purchases be-
fore the warm spring rains break up the ice
and free the streams. The company handles the
product of many of the west counties, such as
Wayne Ontario. Steuben, Yates, Monroe, Gene
see Orleans Niagara and even as far south and
west as Anegany and Chautauqua. The direct
labor of gathering he furs IS done by the COM
paws agents, who drive through the country
collecting the pelts rom the trappers' and pay
. ing cash for their purchases. These are brought
into headquarters at Lyons assorted and shipped
on to the metropolis. where they are dressed,
do inf VIII
or wrap the retailers demand
OF all the pelts purchased for New York ship
nent, the most useful and at the same time the
most numerous is that of the offensive and de-
snised skunk To the trade this skin is known as
black n1arten" and at its best is a very thick.
warm and smooth fur. Its value lies, however,
not so much in its intrinsic worth as in the
ease with which it may be worked over, dyed
and disguised. When gray squirrel is the fash-
ion Of the hour the humble skunk furnishes
many a beautiful garment which meets the
requirements of the woman OF fastidious taste.
When the style changes the skunk skin is
changed also, and only the expert knows the dif-
ference. The inroads into the number Of these
little animals should soon have an effect upon
their presence in this country. but so far. they
sppear TO thrive without apparent decrease.
One man "a Alton recently brought in eight
hundred skins of skunk shot and trapped by
him For these he received about S1,SOO Tor the
skins which in their rough state are worth
from 81 to S3 and 81 each. When cured and
dressed the profit which they yield is enormous
Another animal in whose capture there is
great profit Is the mUskrst. This small IRE
Quenter of the streams is to be found IN VAST
numbers along all Of the larger creeks ana
lake inlets. and in the low swamp 3anos'
They are usually trapped, although many
hFp xxif T.,
fl order that the peIts may be torn as
little as possible OF COURSE in this latter
way many more may be brought to bag, but
their skins do not command a. high a price az
those caught in the traps Last spring. when
the rains and melting SHOWS broke up the ice
in the small streams and in tie upper waters OF
the Genesee, The muzkr@ts we're captured in
vast numbers Their fur Is very soft and beauti-
fuI, and - much used for lining purposes
These two animeIs furnish nine-tenths OF the
skins shipped 9rcm this part q the state, Out
aceassenaEx ecnns lucky farmer eoy oemss IN