﻿16 BULLETIlsr 1369, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



leather varies considerably, but usually ranges between 3 and 10 

 cents per pound, according to the number of grub holes in the side. 



Practically all those concerned in the hide and leather business 

 agree that the scars resulting from grub attack are not desirable in 

 leather, but the opinion as to the percentage of injury produced dif- 

 fers considerably. Some say that even when completely healed 

 grubby hides are undesirable in their business, on account of ap- 

 pearance, weaker fiber, etc. 



It is generally agreed that the nominal discount of 1 cent per 

 pound applied to grubby hides (grade No. 2) by trade custom is far 

 too low. Many tanners state that they would gladly pay double the 

 1 cent per pound additional charged for hides of No. 1 grade if they 

 could obtain grub-free hides. In fact, tanners of hides for certain 

 purposes make every effort to avoid the grub season in purchasing 

 their stocks; and this practice, in addition to tying up considerable 

 capital for several months, introduces another indirect loss. Under 

 present methods of storing green salt hides there' develops in them, 

 when held for several months, a condition known as "salt stain " 

 which materially damages them. This loss is in a large measure 

 chargeable to the warble. There are also a number of tanners who 

 are purchasing Argentine and other foreign hides primarily to avoid 

 grub damage. Grub holes are especially to be avoided when the 

 leather is to be used for certain purposes; for instance, in upholstery 

 leather even one or two holes coming in the center, as they usually 

 do, would cause the entire hide to be discarded for that purpose. 



Estimates of the actual monetary loss in hides and leather in 

 the United States due to the grubs run from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 

 annually. Although the percentage of infested hides varies some- 

 what from year to year and the number of cattle slaughtered also 

 varies, it is thought that the figures for the winter of 1921-22 are 

 about normal. In the period from November 1 to June 1 of these 

 years, 4,448,793 cattle were slaughtered under the inspection of the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry. It is estimated that about 40 per cent 

 of the cattle killed in the United States that year were under in- 

 spection. Thus, the total number of cattle slaughtered in the United 

 States during the period mentioned would be 11,121,980. Accepting 

 the estimate that 50 per cent of these hides are infested Avith at least 

 5 grubs each and hence are placed in grade No. 2, we would have 

 5,560,990 of this grade. At an average of 40 pounds each and apply- 

 ing the nominal 1 cent per pound discount the loss would amount to 

 $2,224,396. During the same period the number of calves slaughtered 

 under inspection was 2,277,165. By the same method of figuring as 

 for cattle, but considering only 30 per cent of the skins infested 

 and the average weight at 20 pounds, there would be experienced a 

 loss of $341,575, or a total annual loss among cattle hides and calf 

 skins of $2,565,971. 



Taking into consideration the number of hides which are damaged 

 but not taken off during the season of grub classification, the num- 

 ber which are perforated by less than five grubs, the number which 

 are placed in grade No. 2 or thrown into glue stock at one-half 

 price owing to extreme infestation, the loss through salt stains in 

 storage, and the increased cost of handling in making grub selections 

 of the hides, side leather, and cut leather, and accepting the state- 



