27 JUNE 1931, Page 18

"HUMANE " FURS . [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—As so many people, at • present, seem unable to distin-

guish humane furs from others, I send you. the, following list, under three headings, of those which may be considered as humanely obtained :

(1) All hoofed animals—deer, antelope, goats, sheep, &c., in- cluding Persian Lamb, and Broadtail (which is tho very young or newly-born of the Persian Lamb) ; also moles and fancy rabbits, shorn lamb, and imitated skins such as nutria-lamb, seal-coney, &c. Names are sometimes misleading, for instance, French wolf is goat, and Chinese wolf is dog.

(2) Registered silver or black foxes from fur farms. These have been tattooed inside both ears with a letter and number in the left ear, and letters only in the right. In made up skins, which I have examined, these tattoo marks could still be seen, but were not quite legible. This is the system of marking used by the Canadian Silver Fox Breeders' Association, and I hear it has been adopted by associations in all other countries, except England.

(3) All other farmed furs, which can be guaranteed obtained from a fur farm.

If the women of England will ask for and—when possible— buy only these, or fur fabrics, they will not only help industry, but will go far towards abolishing the long-drawn-out agonies of the abominable steel trap.—I am, Sir, &e., C." VAN DER BYL.

Wappenham House, Tozecester; Northants: