FLAYING HIDES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2045, 23 November 1907, Page 4

FLAYING HIDES.

HOW AND HOW NOT TO HO IT,

Farmers 'generally found much -lo interest them in a small display made at tih 0 Palmerston show by the Wellington Wool, Skin, and Hide-buy-ers’ Association (says the N.Z. “Times”). It was put tliero to demonstrate in some moasuro the igreut loins annually sustained by farmers of the Dominion through caroless or ignorant flaying of hides. Nothing, it is said by experts, more detracts from the value of a hide than the careless use of the knife, lladly scarred and cut hides are tho rule rather than the exception, so that the farmer’s one chance of producing a good saleable article is gone. Even though all possible attention may havo been given to curing and condition hides will never bring these facts prominently beforo those primarily interested. The association Some little while ago wrote to the Mauawatu A. and P. Society, suggesting that it should offer prizes for the best flayed and dressed hides. Mention was made of the fact that annually some thousands of calfskins a lon o were greatly depreciated’ in value by the grossly careless 'manner in which they were troj ted. The association at the time could not sec its way to adopt the suggestion, but informed the wool, skin, 'and hidebuyers that it would bo very pleased to provido the space if they would niako a display of properly and improperly handled skins. This offer was accepted, and the present display is the result. Though only consisting of six exhibits, three good and three very bad hides, it forms the most striking object lesson that could be imagined, and as such cannot but have a very beneficial result. In the first .place, ther 0 are a couplo of sheepskins, both of equal woight (121 b), but of vastly different appearance. The one is very badly taken off and not properly dried, so that at presowts a shrunken and far from attractive appearance. Its value is 3a id to b 0 4s 6d. The companion skin is, 'however, taken off and dried as it should be, and is worth 8s 6d., or nearly double as much. The difference in the two skins is apparent to the most casual observer. Two calfskins serve to deepen th 0 impression already made. The first is a vory miserable specimen, being as badly flayed and cured as could be imagined. Great pieces of the flesh have been left adhering, while knife marks are frequent. Tho other, however, is l vastly different, being nicelaaid clean and perfectly free from meat or knife cuts. Both skins weigh 81b, but their respective valuos aro 6cl and 4s 6d, a vast difference. A pair of cowhides complete the display, both weighing 451 b. One is dirty in appearance, with pieces of flesh left on, while it has also suffered severely from tho knife. Its value is put down at 7s 6d, but its .companion, the one properly .treated, is worth £l. The latter is perfectly clean, well cured, and free from cuts. The whole display hut serves to prove the foolishness of the old policy of “chop it off as fast as you can, and never mind the result, so long as ‘t comes off.”