Country Hides and Skins. 
39 
skins folded in this manner can be placed in a single bundle for ship- 
ment. It is not advisable to. place more than that number in one 
bundle, as the wool helps to generate heat very rapidly. Two pieces 
of stout rope are then wound around the pack from back to belly, one 
passing around the back portion just in front of the hind legs and the 
other passing around the front portion immediately back of the 
fore legs. 
All bundles must be tied securely, and in making knots the nautical 
bowline knot is preferable, as it does not slip easily. Bundles often 
become untied or otherwise lose their identification marks, and in 
such cases the railroad employees have no means of determining the 
identity of either shipper or consignee, especially if there are other 
hide shipments in the car. 
TAGGING. 
Each bundle should be tagged securely with the name and address 
of the dealer, to whom shipped, on one side of the tag, and on the 
other side, after the word " From — ," the name and address of the 
shipper. Be sure the tag can not come off. Ordinary paper tags are' 
not safe, as they are too easily destroyed or pulled off. Good, strong, 
linen tags with a paper finish and brass eyelets are preferred. All 
addressing should be done plainly in ink. Pencil marks often become 
illegible. Remember that if the bundle becomes unwrapped or if the 
tag pulls off, the hides and skins are liable to be lost. 
SHIPPING. 
After the hides and skins have been properly and securely bundled 
and tagged ship them without delay. Do not let the bundle remain 
in the sun, draft, or water, or against rusty or corroding metals. 
Promptness in shipping and delivery is always advisable, but applies 
particularly to sheepskins. They heat rapidly after being bundled, 
and in hot weather especially must reach their destination quickly. 
Hides and skins should be shipped as directly as is practicable 
and economical to reliable hide dealers who sell direct to tanners, 
thus eliminating unnecessary middlemen or agents. Repeated hand- 
lings tend to reduce the quality of hides and skins. For most farm- 
ers, ranchmen, and small butchers it would, no doubt, be desirable 
if they could dispose of their hides and skins immediately after 
removal, without salting and curing them. As a rule, however, this 
is entirely impracticable, since only a few are near enough to tan- 
neries or dealers equipped to handle their products. When so favor- 
ably situated producers doubtless will find it both profitable and 
practicable to sell the hides and skins in the green, unsalted condi- 
tion. In no case, however, should this method be considered unless 
the producer is absolutely certain of delivering the green hides and 
