Trapping on the Farm. 



479 



of thin board or metal rods shaped so as to stretch them 

 properly in every part (figs. 20, 22, and 23). 



Peltries should always be dried in a shady, well-ventilated 

 place, as an open shed, and not by artificial heat when it 

 can be avoided. In regions where the rainfall is excessive 

 and the air is saturated with moisture, it is sometimes nec- 

 essary to dry skins near a fire. 



In packing furs for shipment care should be taken to ar- 

 range them so the fur side of one skin will not be soiled by 

 the flesh side of another. 



Fig. 22. — Board and Wire Stretchers Designed for 

 Muskrat Skins. 



Skins wanted for home use may be dressed by simple 

 though somewhat tedious methods, one of which is here 

 outlined. A tanning liquor is made by adding to each gallon 

 of water one quart of salt and half an ounce of sulphuric acid. 

 This mixture should not be kept in a metal container. Thin 

 skins are tanned by it in one day, but heavy skins must 

 remain in it longer; they may remain in it indefinitely with- 

 out harm. "\^1ien removed from this liquor they are washed 

 several times in soapy water, wrung as dry as possible, and 

 rubbed on the flesh side with a cake of hard soap. Flat 



