Guide to Taxidermy 



143 



Stretching Skins for Ru^s 



For this purpose you will need a stretching board 

 about three by four feet. You can make this by 

 cleating boards together or you can use the side of 

 a large box. The board must be in a horizontal po' 

 sition when the skin is tanning, so do not figure on 

 using the side of the barn for stretching board. 

 Lay the skin down on, this board, hair side down, 

 and if the head is mounted let it project beyond 

 the board so as not to flatten the ears. Drive a 

 nail or wire through the back end of the mounted 

 head so as to hold it to the board in such a way that 

 its bottom will be about on the same plane as the 

 surface of the board. Next draw the base of the 

 tail down as far as possible without unduly stretch- 

 ing the skin, and nail through the skin. 



The skin should be tacked to the board about = . a- v \ 

 every inch around the edge; one inch flat-headed Nmxxx-^^ W\(Kvsv\\w<V, 

 wire nails are the best for the purpose. Stretch 

 points on opposite sides of the skin at the same time 

 so that you may get it even. 



Pour tanning liquor (receipt for which is given 

 in Chapter 10) on the skin in small quantities, rub- 

 bing it in with a wad of tow or excelsior until the 



