| |
Raccoon, Southern | 50 | 30 | 15 | 5
" Western | 1.00 | 50 | 20 | 5
" Michigan | 1.25 | 80 | 30 | 5
Seal, Hair | 60 | | |
" Fur | 10.00 | | |
Skunk, Black Cased | 1.00 | 60 | 40 | 10
" Half Stripe | 60 | 50 | 25 | 10
" White | 20 | 10 | |
Wolf, Timber | 3.00 | 1.50 | |
" Prairie | 1.00 | 75 | |
Wolverine | 5.00 | 2.00 | |
==========================================================================

[Footnote *: From the "Hat Cap and Fur Trade Review."]

[Page 284]
Notwithstanding all these advertised prices, the young trapper
often experiences great difficulty in a profitable disposal of his
furs. Like every other business, the fur trade runs in its regular
grooves, and the average furrier will often pay an experienced
professional five dollars for a skin for which he would not offer
a _dollar_ to an amateur. This certainly seems discouraging, but
the knowledge of the fact is calculated to prevent _greater_
discouragement.

We often see fancy prices advertised by fur dealers for first-class
skins; but when the furs are sent, only a few are selected as "_prime_,"
the rest being rejected as worthless, or perhaps meeting with a
meagre offer far below the regular rates. In this way the dealers
have the opportunity of choice selection without incurring any
risk. Many a young trapper has been thus disappointed, and has
seen his small anticipated fortune dwindle down to very small
proportions.

The fur trade is supplied through regular professional channels;
and in giving our advice to the novice, we would recommend as the
most satisfactory and profitable plan that he should make his sales
to some local hunter or trapper, who has had experience with the fur
trade, and who is satisfied to pay a fair price for the various skins
with the probability of selling at an advance, and thus realizing
a profit.

In nearly every trapping locality such men are to be found, and
although the prices earned may be below the market rates, the amateur
takes none of the s