ALASKA FISHERY ANT) FUR-SEAL, INDUSTRIES, 1920. 93 



Handling of Skins. 



Skinning. — Fox skins are removed much in the same manner as those of 

 most fur-bearing animals that are prepared for the market. The tail is split 

 for a few inches on the lower side, the cut beginning at the anus ; cuts ai"e 

 then made along the inner side of each hind leg, these incisions extending 

 from the heel (the lower end of the metatarsal bones) to the anus. The pelt 

 is first loosened around the base of the tail, the tail is then pulled from 

 its sheath of skin, and the entire pelt is removed by pushing it loose from the 

 fat and fiesh with the fingers, a knife being used only about the head. After 

 the skin has been loosened from the posterior part of the body it is simply 

 everted over the head, so that the nose is the last part to be severed. The 

 forelegs are pulled out of the skin without any cutting, except where a knife 

 may be needed to separate the pelt from the tougher subcutaneous tissues. 



While the skin is being drawn off there is some danger of tearing it or of 

 forcing a finger through it, but such holes are usually the result of haste or 

 carelessness. However, tears are sometimes made by the best of skinners, and 

 in a large catch it may be difficult to secure perfect work throughout. Natu- 

 rally, the pressure is always toward better workmanship. 



After the skin has been entirely removed by the method outlined above, it is 

 turned right side out and hung up on a peg or nail. When the work of the 

 evening is over, the skins are counted, but are left in the trap building until 

 ready for cleaning and stretching; the skins must be kept as cool as possible 

 during this time. 



During the first few killings of the sea.son it is advisable to examine the 

 flesh side of the skins, as the color found there is a good guide to the degree of 

 primeness of the furs as a whole. The earliest skins may ])e found to he rather 

 dark on the flesh side because of the roots of the growing hair and fur. This 

 color fades as the .season advances. While the writer lias s-een skins having 

 what appeared to be fully prime pelage with the tl(>sh side quite dark, it is not 

 advisable to take any large numlier of skins during that part of the season 

 when the bluisii color on the flesh side of the skin is most pronounced. 



The flesh side again darkens with the approa<h of unprinieness, but it has 

 been observed on St. George Lsland that felteil ])atches and rubbed spots are the 

 first indication of tlie change. The fact that decision must be made before the 

 fox is killed makes this a valuable point. 



CIcanhui. — The morning after the traiiping the skins are taken to another 

 building where the cleaning, stretching, and flrying is done. The more skillful 

 men sit in a row behind a beam which is jtlaced in a horizontal position about 2 

 feet above the floor. A nail or peg is fixed in tlie beam oj)posite each man. 

 The skin is turned flesh side out, the nose is placed over the peg and all the 

 fat and flesh is removed with a very sharp skinning knife having a curved 

 blade about 6 inches in length. The tail is sT»lit and all the fatty tissue removed 

 from it; the forelegs can be cleaned without splitting. The work described 

 here requires genuine skill with the knife. 



After the pelt has been thus cleaned it is taken by one of the other workmen 

 who turns the skin, rubs dry corn meal through the fur for the purpose of 

 removing free grease fir dampness, and then shakes it out. It is tiow turned 

 again and searched for holes and if any are found they are sewed uj). Small 

 sticks are then insert<'d within the skin of the forelegs and bound in place; the 

 tail is .spread and bound round a larger .stick and the skin is then ready for 

 the stretching frame. 



Strctehiuff. — The stretching frame is a very simple arrangement of two light 

 boards (1-inch material is usually used) put together on an acute angle, the 

 length of the sides being in the neighborhood of 4 feet. The boards are joinefl 

 edgewise, the nails of the joint being carefully toed ; no third piece enters into 

 the construftion. After the joint has been secured, the boards are planed so 

 that the edges forni a smooth wedge with a rounded point. Projterly made 

 frames will last many years. 



The skin is drawn on by inserting the smaller end of the frame in the opening 

 across the hind legs and then slowly forcing it down the frame until the nose 

 fits snugl.v. The entire surface of the pelt is then gently stretched downward 

 with the palms of the workman's hands, and when it is well in place the hind 

 legs are sfiread and hound to the sides of tlie frame in the manner shown in 

 figure n The lips have been previously stitched together to j)revent distor- 

 tion of that part of the skin, and after the whole pelt has been well rubbed with 

 com meal it is set up for drying. 



