142 PRACTICAL RABBIT KEEPING 



after one has had a little experience. Some- 

 times they are removed "cased" and sometimes 

 they are split down the middle so they can he 

 taken off flat. Cased skins are preferred when 

 they are to be sold to fur makers. To go about 

 removing the skins, hang up the rabbit as soon 

 as it has been killed, attaching cords to the 

 heel tendons of the back feet. When dressing 

 the animals for meat and considering the skins 

 of but little value, the rabbit keeper usually 

 makes a cut down the belly the whole length 

 of the skin. When the pelt is to be removed 

 whole, more careful work must be done, First 

 cuts are made down the inside of the hind legs 

 and to the base of the tail. This cut should 

 extend across the vent and the tail itself should 

 be slit. The skin is cut around the legs just 

 above the toes, although sometimes when the 

 feet are especially good the toes and nails are 

 left on. Then with a good strong pull the skin 

 can be rolled down over the body and pulled 

 over the head wrong side out. Sometimes 

 certain ligaments will hold the skin, but can 

 be cut away with the knife. Of course it will 

 be necessary to cut off the forefeet. Then 

 whatever adhering flesh or fat may be seen 



