The Tanning and Braying of Skins, 57 



Dissolve 1 quart of common salt and 1 ounce of sulphuric acid iu 

 1 g'allon of water, preferably soft. Keep the solution in a glass, 

 glazed earthenware, or enameled vessel, Ordinary metal vessels may 

 not be used. The writers have made use of a cleau, new, unrusted, 

 and unscratched paraffin tin. At the end of tw^enty-four hours a con- 

 siderable amount of chemical action between the solution and the tin 

 had taken place. This might be very injurious to the skin, although 

 in the writers' work no definite damage was noted. At any rate a 

 paraffin tin should not be used except in a case of necessity. The 

 sulphuric acid and the salt each have an effect of their own, and, in 

 addition, they react to form a certain amount of glauber salts, which 

 sometimes can be seen crystalized on the hair of the skin which has 

 l)een soaked in the solution. 



Soak the skin in the liquid for one day. No harm is done if the 

 period is longer. Then wash the skin thoroughly with soap and hot 

 water, rinse, wring out the water, rub "^he flesh side with a cake of 

 soap, hang the hide over a cord, rope, or riem with the flesh sides in 

 and leave until nearly dry. When the hair is dry, but the skin itself 

 still slightly moist, scrape the flesh side well with a blunt instrument. 

 This removes fat, bits of muscle, and other tissue, and leaves the skin 

 nearly white. It is surprising the amount of fat that can be removed 

 from some hides. Stretch the skin, but before it becomes dry rub, 

 twist, and roll it until it is soft and pliable. If any part remains 

 hard repeat the soaping and rubbing. 



Another Method for Medium. Sized Shins. — Make a strong lather 

 with hot water and soap, wash the skin thoroughly in this, then soak 

 for twelve hours or more (depending on the size of the skin) in a 

 solution of 1 pound of salt and 1 pound of alum in 2 gallons of hot 

 water. Hang the skin out to drain, with the flesh side inward. Then 

 stretch tlie hide with the fur inward, and so that the air can pass 

 beneath it. Before it is quite dry sprinkle the flesh side with a 

 mixture composed of equal parts of powdered alum and saltpetre. 

 When thoroughly dry scrape the flesh side Nvith a blunt knife and 

 I'ub it with pumice stone or fine sandpaper. 



Mr. E. S. Buttermer, who published the above recipe, stated that 

 he had always found it most excellent for the skins of sheep, goats, 

 !>uck, and foals. When tanning larger skins the soaking in the salt 

 and alum should be continued for a period longer than twelve hours. 



To Tan Large Skins. — The following method requires a great deal 

 of work, but it is a very good one for large skins. It is, of course, 

 good for small ones also : — 



Soak the skin in warm water, stretch, and thoroughly scrape the 

 flesh side. Then apply a paste made of equal parts of saltpetre, 

 borax, and glauber salts moistened with water; fold the skin, flesh 

 side in, allow it to lie for twenty-four hours, then wash in warm 

 water. Next apply to the flesh side a mixture made by melting 

 together 2 ounces of good soap, 1 ounce of washing soda, and h ounce 

 of borax. Fold up the skin and allow it to lie for twenty-four hoiirs. 

 In warm weather watch should be kept on the skin when it is lying 

 folded. 



Make up a solution by dissolving 1 pound of alum and 2 pounds 

 of salt in a paraffin tin full (4 gallons) of hot rain water or other soft 

 water. When the solution has cooled to the point that it does not 

 burn the hands put in the skin and allow it to soak for twelve hours; 



