654 



Wool. After separating the stained pieces and locks, the 

 fleeces should be skirted well (especially if the bellies are burry) 

 and then rolled tightly and pressed into bales. The pieces, bellies, 

 stained pieces, and locks may then be baled separately, or if there 

 is not sufficient of either to be packed in bales, sacks may be used. 

 On no account should fleeces be tied with string. 



Sheepskins. Immediately after being taken off, the skins should 

 be hung out lengthways on wires or rails (wool side down), if 

 possible under trees or other shade, until dry ; the trotters should 

 then be cut off, and the skins painted with anti-weevil composition. 

 They may then be stored in a dry place until sufficient have 

 accumulated to make a consignment. On no account should skins 

 be allowed to hang out exposed to the weather after they are once 

 dry. 



Hides. When flaying, i.e., skinning the beast, care should be 

 taken that the hide is not cut or scored with the knife, as this takes 

 off, at the least, a third of the value. The head of the beast should 

 not be skinned, as that portion of the hide is of no value. As soon 

 as flayed the hide should be spread out under shade and well salted ; 

 after a day or two the blood should be drained off, and -the hide 

 rolled up with the hair side out, and plenty of salt inside. When 

 rolled the hide may be tied with binding twine, but on no account 

 should wire be used. Calf skins should be treated in the same 

 manner. 



I\tin(i oo skins should be pegged out in the shade (all shanks, 

 scalps, and tails cut off closely). After drying the skins should be 

 painted with anti-weevil composition and packed quite flat in 

 bundles. Care should be taken that each skin is thoroughly dry 

 before being packed. 



Opossum skins. When the body is cold strip off the skin, 

 leaving the tail on, and peg out as squarely as possible. When dry 

 paint with anti-weevil composition, and pack flat, fur to fur. 

 Opossums should be trapped or snared, as shooting them or 

 hunting them with dogs destroys the fur. The proper time for 

 opossum catching is from May to end of August, as during that 

 time the fur, which constitutes the value, is thicker and 

 better. 



for anti-weevil composition. Take six Ibs. arsenic and 

 rive Ibs. common washing soda. Dissolve the soda in ten gallons of 

 water in a copper or boiler. When dissolved add the arsenic and 

 boil until the hitter is thoroughly dissolved. To every gallon of this 

 preparation add three gallons of cold water ; mix thoroughly and 

 apply to the flesh side of the skin with a whitewash or other suitable 

 brush. As this preparation is extremely poisonous, care should be 

 taken to keep it where children or animals cannot get access to 

 it. 



