Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 97 



It should be borne in mind that lots A and C and B and D were to all 

 intanti and purposes identical, except that B and D represented in each 

 case the painted skins. On the other hand, lot E was the cured skins, as 

 explained above. 



The figures are fairly convincing, and may be accepted as a fair criterion 

 of the merits of the respective modes of treatment. It has been amply 

 borne out that drying in the sun is a wrong practice. It has also been made 

 clear that painting is beneficial, as in both instances the painted skins main- 

 tained a higher range of values than the unpainted ones, indicating that 

 there were fewer rejects among those lots. 



Lot E stands out conspicuously as the highest in the list — that is, so far 

 as the value of the pelt is concerned. It would be well, however, not to 

 form hasty conclusions. 



Commenting on the value of the skins, Messrs. Elliott & Co. wrote : — 



It will be seen from the result that the skins which have been shade-dried turned out 

 much better than those dried in the sun. Drj-ing in the sun draws the fat to the surface 

 and causes the grain to blister and peel, and reduces the value considerably; this would, 

 of course, be much more pronounced in hot than in cold weather. 



There is not a marked difference in the value of the B and D classes, but it must be 

 noted that these were received and operated upon during the cold weather, when very 

 little weevil was about ; had the sheep been killed in the summer time and the skins 

 allowed to lie about for any length of time, a large proportion of the pelts from the B class 

 (unpainted skins) would not have been worth tanning — only fit for glue-making. 



With regard to Lot E (salted and cured), we have already jjointed out to you that this 

 method of treatment produces pelts quite first class, but we cannot recommend it for 

 the reason that we find it impossible to get the wool a good colour. It has a yellowish 

 tint which ordinary scouring will not remove. 



We verj' often buy salted pelts in the market, but these we can procure at from 28. to 

 3s. lower than those ordinary good pelted drj' skins, because of the difference in wool 

 values. 



We should like to point out that skins that are badly butchered could often be put 

 into higher grades but for being cut. We cannot lay too much stress on this point. 

 The pelt (now that values are ruling so high) is a very important factor, and the condition 

 of the pelt is now very much more taken into consideration by buyers than formerly. 



To sum up, we would strongly recommend that all skins be painted and shade-dried, 

 and that special care be taken to have skins removed free from cuts. 



Some years ago we were big buyers from several meat works in different parts of the 

 Commonwealth. We always had the skins painted with a weak solution of red arsenic 

 which, in our opinion, is the best preservative and gives the best result in pelts. We 

 can say we never lost 2 per cent, of pelts treated in that way. 



Messrs. Elliott & Co., in their report, sum up the position so clearly that it 

 leaves very little else to be added 



With regard to shade-drying it may be remarked, however, that proper 

 provision should be made for the purpose. If an outbuilding be not avail- 

 able, a shed suitably designed should be made for the purpose. A long and 

 narrow one is preferable to a wide one. If constructed to allow of three 

 sets of beams being placed in line, say 2 feet 6 inches apart, and about the 

 same distance from the outside, it should be wide enough for ordinary require- 

 ments. A length of about 4 feet is required properly to stretch a skin, so 

 that the length of the building may be regulated by the number of skins it 

 will be required to hold during any period of drying. Observations taken 



