DKESSIXG AND TAXXIXG SKIXS AXD FURS. 85 



then work it and dry it as before. No doubt it will be 

 done by tins time, but if it is still, a little hard, apply a 

 small amount of butter, and work it in thoroughly, and 

 then smoke, as before directed. This is the Indian dress- 

 ing. There is no doubt that the first recipe — the oil- 

 dressing — is the best of all. 



Tanning. — The first thing to be done preparatory to 

 tanning a hide or skin is to soak it, as no hide can be 

 tanned unless it has been soaked and properly broken on 

 a fleshing beam. Soak in soft water, and, unless the hides 

 have been salted, add a little salt to the water. Green 

 hides should remain in until thoroughly well soaked, say 

 from ten to twelve hours, according to thickness; dry 

 hides from two to six days. All hard or unbroken spots 

 must be softened after soaking. To remove the hair or 

 wool, immerse the hide or skin in a liquor composed of 

 ten gallons of cold, soft water, eight quarts of slaked 

 lime, and eight quarts of hard wood ashes. Let it soak 

 from two to six days, or until the hair or wool slips off 

 easily. 



If it is desired to keep the wool or hair clean, instead 

 of using the liquor, take equal parts of slaked lime and 

 hard wood ashes, and make into a thin paste, with water. 

 Spread this on the flesh side, and then roll up the skin, 

 flesh side in, and place it in a tub or barrel, barely cover- 

 ing it with water. Let it soak from one to ten days, or 

 until the hair or wool can be easily removed ; then take 



