FOR EXHIBITION AND MARKET 



hide will be in good condition. The principle idea is 

 to get the skin off whole and with as few accidental 

 cuts as possible. They should always be taken off, 

 "cased" — that is : to be removed whole over the head, 

 with no incision down the stomach. 



Tcrremove a skin "cased," hang the animal by the 

 heel tendons, after starting the cuts down the inside 

 of the hinds legs, slit the legs to the base of the tail 

 in a straight line across the vent, and slit the tail. 

 Many times the tail will slip whole, but unless it is 

 slit open, it is hard to tan as liquor will not penetrate 

 as easily and fur will slip. 



If the feet are well furred, one may have the skin 

 of the feet, toes and nails all left on by severing each 

 toe just above the nail. 



The skin is pulled down over the head, wrong 

 side out, using the knife to cut any ligaments attach- 

 ing it to the flesh. Always cut towards the body 

 rather than the skin, so that no cuts may be made in 

 the skin. Bits of flesh and fat adhering to the skin 

 may be removed afterwards When the forelegs are 

 reached, they may be removed and cut at the ankle 

 joints or the toes as desired. 



If one wishes to save the head, cut carefully 

 around the eyes and cut ears off next to skull, continu- 

 ing to the nose and lips which by patient cutting will 

 come off nicely. The skin should then be fleshed, re- 

 moving all flesh and fat as any left on the skin will rot 

 the roots of the hair and cause same to fall out. After 

 salting well, being sure to cover all parts thoroughly, 

 put skin in cool place to dry before tanning. 



188 



