Curing a Dog's Skin

New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 447, 16 January 1948, Page 23

Curing a Dog's Skin

Dear Aunt Daisy, Could you publish a recipe for curing a skin with hair on? I have hunted through books, but can’t find a recipe for tanning. We just have the one skin -a dog’s-and would be very pleased to get a method to cure it.

Wanganui-ite.

I have not a recipe for curing dogs’ skins, but should think that the method used for calves’ skins or lambs’ skins would do: Scrape the. skins clean, and then simply stretch them on a floor, or wall, tacking them in place. Floor is best, as "curing" mixture is not wasted. Rub with kerosene till wet all over; then spread about IIb. of baking soda over the skin, and rub well in. Leave for 1 week, rubbing 2 or 3 times during the week. Then pull off any loose inner skin, and rub with a piece of pumice or brick till soft: and pliable. Rugs done this. way always lie flat on the floor. To cure rabbit or -lambskins scour pelt in warm soapy water to clean wool or hair. Rinse in clean warm water. Shake skin as dry as possible, and lay on clean sack pelt side upwards. Boil 2 tablespoons alum and 1 tablespoon salt in 1 pint water till dissolved. When at blood heat, wash pelt with it, putting plenty on. Use a soft cloth for this. Roll skin up, folding pelt to pelt, keeping mixture away from wool or hair. Leave for 2 days. Repeat process twice, giving three dressings altogether, Then spread out to dry away from sun and wind, _While drying frequently | stretch and pull and rub between hands : to soften, When nearly dry, work with blunt knife, or rub with pumice stone until skin is as soft as suede.