THE RAW MATERIAL OF HEAVY LEATHERS 9 



trade, however, " kip " is sometimes used also for larger 

 hides, as a verbal enhancement of value ; just as a man 

 with a few old fowls is said to keep " chickens." Cow hides 

 tend to be " spready," i.e. to have a large area per unit 

 weight, and are therefore more suitable for dressing leather. 

 Bull hides are thicker in the neck and belly, and thinner 

 in the back, which characteristics reduce their commercial 

 value. 



Market hides are sold by weight, and are therefore 

 classified chiefly by their weight, which is marked on near 

 the tail by a system of knife-cuts. The animals are flayed 

 after cutting the hide down the belly and on the inside 

 of the legs. 



Of the various breeds, " Shorthorns " yield a large 

 supply of useful hides. The name, however, covers a 

 variety of similar breeds, and the hides therefrom are 

 rather variable in texture and quality. They tend to be 

 greasy owing to high feeding. The " Herefords," ob- 

 tained from Midland markets, are generally excellent hides 

 for sole and harness leathers. They give a good yield of 

 butt pelt, a stout and smooth shoulder, and are not often 

 greasy. " Devons " yield a good-textured and well-grown 

 hide, but are often badly warbled (see p. 10). The 

 " Sussex " cross breeds yield somewhat larger hides. 

 " Suffolk Red Polls," common in East Anglia, yield a good 

 butt, and the cow hides make good dressing leather. 

 " Channel Island " cattle yield very thin hides, but with a 

 fine undamaged grain. Scotch hides possess deservedly 

 the very highest reputation. The climatic conditions 

 favour the production of a hardy race of cattle with thick 

 well-grown hides, yielding a large proportion of butt. 

 These hides are amongst the best obtainable for heavy 

 leather, and particularly for sole leather. " Highlanders/' 

 " Aberdeen Angus," " Galloways " are typical breeds, with 

 short neck, legs and straight backs. Cross breeds are also 

 excellent (e.g. " Scotch Shorthorns "). The natural value 

 of these hides is further enhanced by the usual care in 

 flaying. " Ayrshires " yield good milch cows and conse- 



