TOPRETAIL

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 22, 8 January 1907, Page 2

TOPRETAIL

FOR MARKET.

—* This seems a detail at first sight, but the preparation of these is a factor which affects the pockets of trappers very considerably, and if they could only realise in what measure “appearance" either enhances or, decreases values we feel sure our remarks would not go unheeded. Skin hunting is a business, but like every other business can be pursued to profit or loss, and now that the new season for marsupial skins has begun a word or two to our scalp hunters may not come amiss. For the smaller animals, opossums, rabbits, &c., snaring will no doubt be found the most profitable manner of procuring the skins. Snaring is very extensively carried out in some districts and were it more general tho cheque for the work done would be found far more substantial than ornamental and not only would trappers be the gainers thereby, but all concerned in the different branches of the trade would benefit.

The favourite and least expensive opossum snare is made with a wire noose. When the skin is taken off the animal it should be pegged out as squaro as possible in the shade ; do not dry in the sun, as this gives tho skins a yellow colour and decreases their value.

For larger game such as kangaroo, wallaby, &c., one needs a true rifle. Get tho wind in your face. Notice which way the Toos go and work accordingly. Shoot for quality as well as quantity, and above all avoid using shot as it depreciates the value of the skins. Kangaroos carrying skins weighing 71bs per dozen upwards, and wallabys 41bs. per dozen upwards only should be shot, not the very small ones ; give them a chance to grow- till their skins are of value. When skinning care should be taken to remove blood from the pelt (if the animal has bled freely and smeared the skin ori the flesh side) by a dry rag, or washing so longhas jit is done while the skin is green* .apd immediately before it is pegged* out to dry. Tanners find blood that has soaked into and stained the skin renders the parts so affected utterly useless for leather. Blood stain in the skin is like improper branding or bud flaying of hides.

When the skfns are thoroughly dry they should be packed fur to fur spread out flat and tied up securely. If skins are properly packed they require less space in transit, are better preserved, and on arrival at destination present a nice even, and attractive appearance, and what is of paramount importance to the trapper command high prices.

Do not hold skins for the market to advance further, as the longer they are kept the lighter they get, and the condition or substance also dries out of them. It will be found far more profitable, when the skins are nice and fresh to send them to some reliable firm who will look after one's interests and return cash promptly. Most of the larger firms export skins direct to the manufacturers and so can pay the highest prices ruling on the market, and as a rule do not charge any commission for the privilege of selling the skins to them. Being constantly in receipt of large orders from all parts of the world, they are enabled to pay well for the skins and do the right thing by their country friends.