• RABBIT FURS— THEIR VALUE 143 



should be removed with the knife. After a 

 little practice this work can be done quickly 

 and easily. 



The next step is to cure the skins, which is 

 done by covering the flesh side carefully with 

 salt and letting them stand for three or four 

 days in order that all the moisture shall be 

 dried out. It is best to keep them in a fairly 

 cool place. Then the skins will be ready for 

 tanning. This work is made easiest by using 

 a commercial tanning preparation, such as 

 may be advertised under the name of Easy^ 

 tan or something of the kind. The cost is little, 

 und results are almost certain to be satisfac- 

 tory. However it is quite possible to make 

 one's own tanning mixture. A formula which 

 has been found to work well is made up as 

 follows : 



5 gallons of water 

 4 pounds of common salt 

 2 ounces of fluid sulphuric acid. 

 The salt is first dissolved in the water and 

 then the acid added, care being taken not to 

 inhale any of the fumes. As the acid will eat 

 into metal, it is best to use a wooden or fibre 

 tub or bucket. 



