The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-12-17


been wrongfully discounted and was
entitled to an accepted place in the fur
trade. of course, that could not be on
the ''two-bit" basis, so the price of
muskrat skins was jumped until in the
entire history of the fur trade 1t is
contended no other pelt, even under
the careful manipulation of the Hud-
son Bay Company, ever made such a
pyramiding record.
Hundreds of muskrat pelts sold last
season at the trap at from 81 to 80.
This made the velvet for the trapper
run something like a yard wide and
all silk" for while everything else felt
the boost in price incident to the war,
trapping equipment proved the cxcep-
ton. It was not until the season was
we'll advanced that the oversight in
this direction could be corrected and
by that time the trappers were out
fitted for the winter. Many of them
have gone into this seasons work
without expanding dollar on addi-
tional outfits.
But boosting the price at the trap
made it possible to conscientiously do
the same thing at the consumer end
of the game, with the result that many
wearer of muskrat skin coat found
herself in the sealskin class of but a
few seasons before. At one time a
shortage of muskrat skins actually de-
veloped with the result that the man.
ufactured skin began to look a whole
lot like the finest sable.
Can Be Dyed and BIeached
In connection with the muskrat skin
it has been found that the latter can
be dyed or bleached at will and that
once it's tone is properly fl ed it be-
comes permanent. Another advantage
possessed by the little pelt is that al
though the skin is light in weight it is
usually tough when tanned or cured.
These facts have been known to local
trappers for years, but they never be-
fore last year we're able to impress
their Importance on representative fur
houses.
Surveys made last week and i'm
mediately preceding that time showed
that many additional acres of marsh
land had been taken over by the musk
rats this year and that the total mum.
Der was well in advance of that of a
year ago. Considering the enormous
catch last season such a situation was
dificult to explain. This may be done,
trappers say. in only one way. 1t must
be conceded that hunters have con-
sistently observed the laws and that
in addition the season has been I'M
usually favorable to the propagation of
the muskrat. With little to disturb
them and an abundance of food carry
ing well into the winter they have
thrived as never before.
Owners Of muskrat farms report
that the conditions in their colonies
differ little from that of these in the
open. Many Of these men admit that
the yield this year will prove even
more profitable than last season and
that from what they are able to learn
from the fur manufacturers the new
conditions as relating to the muskrat
will continue with little variations in
the future.
In other words, they have been given
to understand that now that cheap
fur supply source has been developed
it will be the business of the fur manu-
facturers to see that it is encouraged
and developed to the mutual advan-
tage of all interested. Hence it seems
that quite all unconsciously Delaware
has had a new and profitable industry
thrust upon her, for while muskrat
skins can be obtained in hundreds of
localities in many sections Of the coun-
try, none surpass those trapped in
Delaware. The local conditions are
L
considered as unusually well adapted
to the cultivation of the muskrat pro-
ducing a larger and better furred pelt
than is obtained in other localities.
delaware" on a muskrat skin Is COM
ing to mean something in trade cir
cles.
- r Skunks Are Grown
Scores of skunk skins will also find
their way to the markets from Della
ware trappers. The value of the pelt
has long been fixed and a result is
that on many of the muskrat farms
skunks are grown. Contrary to what
might be generally expected they do
mesticate easily and cease to become