LTTILLZATION OF THE SKINS OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 805 



punilivoly siuiill; l)ut tlio raw fur-.scal skins, a.s received at the fur- 

 dres.sci'"s establishniciit in their dirt}' and iinsij^htly condition, bear 

 little resemblance to the finished product delivered to the g-arnicnt 

 nianut'acturers. The followint^ account of the present methods of 

 dressino- these skins is based on information furnished l)y fur-dressers 

 of New York and London, and especially by Mr. Sanuud Williams and 

 Mr. ]Max Bowsky, of New York City: 



The moist skins are tirst freed of salt and then ''bUibliered," con- 

 sisting in placing- each skin, fur down, on an inclined wooden beam 

 somewhat like a tanner's beam, and with a two-handled knife removing 

 all particles of blubber, flesh, and other extraneous matter, care being 

 taken that no cuts or uneven places are made in the pelt. These blub- 

 ber scrapings are oleaginous and are usually handled by manufacturers 

 of oils and greases. The skins are soaked in cold water over night 

 and then wa.shed in strong soap water, the amount of washing depend- 

 ing on the condition of the pelt, some pelts standing more than others, 

 too nnich washing loosening the fur. Whale-oil soap was formerly 

 considered necessary for this, but its use is now almost abandoned. 

 After the washing, the skins are placed on a beam with the fur side 

 up and the grease and w" ater are removed by scraping or pressing with 

 a ])eaming knife. 



Then comes the depilation or unhairing, the most difficult and 

 important single step in the process. In preparing for this, a slight 

 difference of practice exists among the various dressers. Usually after 

 the washing, as above noted, each skin is stretched and sewed with 

 heavy cord to the rim of an iron hoop and suspended in dr}^ atmos- 

 phere until thoroughly dry, usually requiring several da3'S. Next 

 they are soaked in cold water from one to three daj's, the length of 

 time varying according to the condition of the skin and the tempei-a- 

 ture of the water. On removal the fur is dried and the skin made 

 quite warm, doubled together, and sweated in a warm place from one 

 to three hours or until the hair commences to start. In some estab- 

 lishments the dr3ang of the skins on iron hoops is omitted entirel}-, 

 and the fur is dried and the moist pelt warmed and sweated as above 

 noted immediatel}' after the washing process. 



W^hen the skins are in good working condition, the picker or 

 unhairer bends several of them across boards b}- the side of a stove, 

 and thus warms and dries the fur side, keeping the skin side moist in 

 the meantime. Each skin while warm is successivel}^ placed on the 

 unhairer's beam, pelt side down, and the hair removed by using a dull 

 knife of soft metal, known as a picker's knife, the workman grasping 

 the hair between the knife and his thumb, the latter l)oing protected 

 by a rubljer cot. Extra force should not be used in case the hairs do 

 not yield readily, for they are liable to break ott'; but the pelt should 

 be again moistened and the fur side warmed. After a portion of the 

 .skin has been unhaired, it is necessary to warm another part of it at the 



F. C. 1902 20 



