CARACUL

Caracul, or Karakul, means the Black Lake where traders first brought skins from the des­ert north of Bokhara. The term is used for lamb with a looser and flatter curl than Persian. How­ever, there are many imitations, and the term is loosely applied.

The best grade of caracul comes from lower central Asia and wears fairly well. It may be black or brown or white, and more, although sometimes dyed platinum shade, it is mostly dyed black, gray, brown or sand. Mongolia, Manchuria and other parts of China produce woollier and cheaper grades that are less durable. These are mostly white, and are used for many of the pale shades of gray and brown.

Interesting experiments are now being made in America in the crossing of the caracul sheep with native varieties, but the results are still incomplete. Caracul should be regarded as a dressy Fur and not be subjected to hard usage.

Astrakhan is a lamb Fur with a better leather than caracul, and comes from the Russian town on the Caspian Sea, where formerly Persians and caraculs were received from Central Asia and Asia Minor. This is a Fur which the ancients loved. It was often adopted by early priests. It has a heavier curl and body than caracul and gives excellent service. It wears especially well in colors other than black­--the black dye sometimes affecting the leather. Some Furriers limit the word "astrakhan" to black lamb, calling all colored skins "caracul," regardless of their origin.