. Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture; Agriculture. 28 BULLETIISr 1350, U. S. DEPAHTMENT OF AGEICULTUKG 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 ma
. Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture; Agriculture. 28 BULLETIISr 1350, U. S. DEPAHTMENT OF AGEICULTUKG 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 PHmeness.—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 wel
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