PREPARATION OF SKINS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4944, 26 January 1877, Page 3

PREPARATION OF SKINS.

The following letter has been handed to us for publication:— In preparing skins for this market the following hints may be of value :—Classing—They should be classed fine: combing, clothing, and ' shorn ; cross-bred: combing, clothing, and shorn; and if the quantities are teo small, for making separate bales of each class they should be sorted here before the sale. ‘ Pelts. —When properly prepared and in good condition the pelts add considerably to the value of the skin. The main things to be looked to are shape, freedom from cuts and moth, and the absence of any sweating. A great number ,of the Australian and New Zealand pelts are spoiled in the taking off, being cut down che side instead of the middle of- the sheep, thereby spoiling the pattern of the skin, which is very important, as in fleshing for tanning they have to be shaped and a good deal cut away to waste, making the skin much smaller and of less value. Many of the pelts are also damaged by the knife in flaying, being almost cut through. I think the best plan is to strip off the skin, as they do with rabbits. Many of the skins, particularly New Zealand, are damaged by sweating in the bales; this is caused by being packed before the skin is properly dried. This is a great fault, as it not only damages* the pelts and causes the wool to become yellow, but it interferes very much with the removal of the wool by the fellmonger. For the prevention of moths and worms there are several preparations. One solution is made as follows; —3olbs. of arsenic and 281bs. of soda are mixed with 50 gallons of water, and boiled for three hours until dissolved. One quart of this solution is then added to one gallon of water, and the mixture is then applied with a whitewash brush so as just to damp the pelt. Another solution I came across lately is used on the Continent. It is merely 1 per cent, of sulphuric acid mixed with 99 per cent, of water. L. Cowan and Sons, of Hammersmith Bridge Works, also prepare a composition, which I hear very favorable accounts of. After the skin is stripped' from the sheep it should be stretched out to dry on ropss or wires in the open air, but screened from the sun to prevent the pelt becoming brittle. The solution should be applied on the flesh side so as just to damp the pelt. Great care should be taken in the drying ; it should not be done too quickly, as if so the pelts are liable to crack in folding. The skins from Buenos Ayres are first folded lengthways, with the wool outside, and then doubled again ; but my impression is that they should not be doubled at all, as they would look better, and the rats would not have a chance of getting at the best part of the pelt. I have opened bales of New Zealand skins with every skin destroyed by a rat hole eaten through the centre or completely across. (Signed) Nathan Bowes. London, November 20.