The San Francisco call., 1910-03-26
FURS WORTH MILLIONS
BROUGHT FROM NORTH
New York Receives Great Ships
ments From Winnipeg

IN stating lnat winnipeg Is Inc
great fur market of western Canada,
scribes various phases of this in
dustry:
Millions of dollars worth of precious
furs are brought down each spring
from the .northland, and dealers in
dealers Of the world bid upon the packs
offered. During 1909 it is estimated
that furs to the value OF sl2,O0o.00o
were shipped from the. western pro prov
Raw furs enter the United States
free of duty, and all the consignments
are made each year to New York
use in the United States, although the
large majority go to London, where,
at the great annual fur sale. the prices
for the year are made. The reason
whysthese furs go to New York in
stead of TO London direct is that there
is a dealer in New York who takes
large consignments of all kinds of
furs and advances to the shipper 60
per cent of their value, based on the
last London sales. When the price is
established and the sales finally made
the broker returns to the shipper the
full value of the furs as indicated by
the London sales, less his commission.
The northern parts of Manitoba,
Saskatchewan and Alberta are great
hunting grounds; and the farther north
the trapper goes away from civiliza-
tlon the greater his returns. Through
the Peace river valley, which a few
years ago furnished a fine quality of
furs, there are great harvest fields,
and the trapper has trekked farther
north into the Mackenzie and Keewatin
countries, trapping from Great Slave
lake through connecting. lakes to
Great Bear lake, and as far north as
Coronation gulf, whose most southerly
point begins at the arctic circle and
which is an indent OF the Arctic
Little of this barren lands" coun-
try has been properly surveyed, and
from gerfreports of trappers is not
of much promise; but 1T abounJs in
wild animals, and the few hardy trap
pers who venture there are well re-
paid. Trapping also extends through
out the islands in the Arctic ocean, and
the magnificent peIts of silver and
black foxes are commanding a whole
sale price in Winnipeg of $500 to $1,000
skin, tempting, many "a trapper to
risk his life for the compensation.
The muskrat is one of Canada's most
valuable fur bearing animals. 1t is
the most prolific. Its fur is capable of
of high priced furs, and this season
has been the one so popular for ladies'
coats. The fur, however, is nstable.
and the fine, delicate hair wears badly
and is a favorite breeding place for
moths. Once the coat is attacked with
moths it is practically valueless. Last
year the muskrat brought go to 30
cents skin. This year they are eagerly
bought at 80 cents for the poorer or
No. quality, up to rs cents for No. /.
This price advance is true in a degree
of all other furs. Black bear has gone
up 10 to 15 per cent. Beaver has fol-
lowed with a smaller advance. Silver
foxes have gone up exactly 100 per
cent and other breeds of foxes have
advanced 10 to 25 per cent
Last year lynx was the popular fur,
and the long, delicate hair of the Cana :
dian lynx, dyed by the German method,
was considered the best fashion. It's
popularity was short lived, for there
were many limitations. The fur most
often used as substitute for Canadian
The limitations soon drove the real fur
out of the market. Old trappers in
Canada declare that good seasons for
fur bearing animals come in cycles
and these cycles are dependent upon the
crop of rabbits. The great hunting
ground of one year may be worthless
the next because of a dearth of rabbits
upon which fur bearing animals feed.
OF all the northern Canadian furs
none has STOOD the variation of fash
ion and time as well as mink. 1t is
popular as one of the best wearing
furs. A fully furrei northern mink
of dark or dark brown color is worth
$40 raw. and the price decreases for
lighter shades down to s1.25 for No. 9
coast. All mink is of value; and the
skilled tanner can impart that delicate
dye which the Inexperienced would pass
for No. 1. Dyed furs are unsatis-
leave an undesirable ashy color
Raccoon, the most serviceable for fur
for western Canadian use, is largely
used by men for overcoats.. A year ago
the best sold at S1.25 a skin, this year
at So, an advance due to increased
population of the west The Canadian
weasel. which passes as ermine, has
advanced $50 per cent over last year;
the prime skins bringing 81 against 40
cents in January. 1909. Some few sea
otter find their way to Winnipeg, and
bring, for the fine dark silver pointed
skins S5n0 To S75n each.