Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette ofN.S.W. 95 



Advisory Council of Science and Industry. The co-operation of the Depart 

 ment of Agriculture was immediately sought for by that body, to see whether 

 by some means or other those responsible for it could not be roused to a sense 

 of responsibility, so that in some measure so great a waste might be reduced, 

 if not avoided. 



Careless Methods of Treatment. 

 Complaint apparently does not arise from one cause alone, but from the 

 negligent manner in which, in too many instances, the skins are handled 

 as they are removed from the body until they reach their destination where 

 they are finally treated. Often no provision whatever is made for drying. 

 A little extra care would perhaps be taken of a skin that is approaching full 

 wool ; but frequently has it been noted in the case of a short growth or late 

 shorn sheep that the pelts have been allowed to lie about and exposed to all 

 conditions of weather. Sometimes they are carelessly thrown over a rail, 

 woolly side out, with the result that they become heated and the texture 

 of the pelts suffers in consequence. Frequently, too, the skins are allowed 

 to remain until the extremities curl up, and so afford a favourable place oi 

 abode for the operations of the blow-fly. Other cases have been noted, 

 again, where no attempt has been made to stretch the skin. If not left 

 near the spot just where it was removed, it has been hurriedly thrown across 

 a wire, causing it to dry out a bad shape and become creased and " ridgy." 



Serious damage is often caused through cutting or scoring at the time 

 of skinning, nor is any attempt made in many cases to protect the skin 

 against weevils, which readily attack them, especially during the summer. 



On the assumption that the wool is more valuable than the pelt, the skins 



are often packed flesh side out, thereby exposing it to all the damage that. might 



be caused during transit. „, „ 



^ The Tests. 



After full inquiry and investigation, it was decided to institute a series of 

 tests at different experiment farms, in order to see whether, by adopting 

 better methods, existing conditions could not be improved upon. The tests 

 were undertaken at Hawkesbury Agricultural College andWagga and Trangie 

 experiment farms under the supervision of the Experiments Supervision 

 Committee, special lots of sheep being set aside for the purpose. 



Differences of opinion existed as to the respective merits of sun and 

 shade drying. One member of the committee. Dr. Darnell-Smith, said 

 he considered " mere drying in the sun a very bad practice. Very soon 

 after an animal is dead, bacteria enter the skin and start decomposition^ 

 and in thick skins drying in the sun does not check them, with the result 

 that the tissues of the hide are much integrated." 



The best means of combating weevil infestation was also considered, and 

 the application of salt in the process of curing to preserve pliability and softness 

 of texture. 



Finally it was decided to direct the test with a view to (1) ascertaining to 

 what extent damage was done by drying in the sun ; (2) discovering how skins 

 might be preserved by the application of an approved preparation as a paint. 



