NEW ZEALAND HIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20655, 29 August 1930, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND HIDES.

LEATHER RESEARCH. IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED. BT NITEOS. Changing conditions in the world's leather demands are making it more essential than ever before that hides shall he very carefully treated. This fact has been recognised in New Zealand, and a special leather research chemist (Mr. P. White) has been working on local problems for some time past. Already certain factors are apparent, and it is well that farmers should know these, and know also the reasons why it is necessary that special care be taken with hides. In the various freezing works hides are carefully treated on what are recognised as sound commercial lines, and, although research may show how they can be cured more cheaply or more efficiently, the fact remains that New Zealand hides passing through the freezing works are of a high standard, which cannot be said of the largo number of hides supplied by farmers. In earlier days the principal leather demands came from the manufacturers of boots and 6hoc3 and from saddlers, and, as comparatively small pieces of leather were required, it did not greatly matter if there were odd cuts in the hide, or weak spots. The coming of the motorcar, or rather its conquest of transportation, has altered the position completely, and in England the vogue for rubber composition soled books and shoes is lessening the demand for leather from the boot trade. Saddlers do not now require anything like former quantities, bnt upholsterers and motor-body builders require it in ever-increasing quantities. Moreover, they want large hides, properly; treated, and free from all blemishes. Only such hides are suitable for upholstery; work in motor-cars, or for rise in the more expensive grades of leather-covered furniture. Improving the Quality. Despite the many and varied substitutes which have been brought forward, there has always been, and no doubt there will always be, a good demand for leather. The changed conditions, though, mean that the demand to-day is for the very best grades. Poor quality hides bring prices so much inferior-to those realised by the. best, that they are very unprofitable to farmers. How can the position be improved, and higher prices assured 1 That is the question which is being studied by the leather research chemist, and already he has been able to make certain recommendations which will show farmers how to cure their skins in such a way as to realise top prices. Now that the " bobby calf " trade has assumed such dimensions locally, the attempt is being made to widen the market for the skins in England, and in this attempt we have had the co-operation of the hides and skins committee of the Imperial Institute in England. Some little time ago a cask of calf skins was purchased by a firm of glove manufacturers, but, although at first it seemed that these skins . would be satisfactory, it was found eventually that there were small blemishes which prevented them being used for gloves. It would require only a few such instances to give our calf skins a bad reputation, so the problem was gone into at once. It was found that bacterial action had set in, damaging the surface of the skins. Although the damage was slight, the blemishes were sufficient to mar the hides for fine work. This particular cask of hides was one which had been bought by a dealer, and picked up in various parts of one district, the hides having been cured by the farmers themeslves, and it is clear that faulty methods of curing were the cause. How to Cure Hides. The recommendations made by Mr. White for curing hides on the farm are that as soon as the skin has been removed it should be placed hair down on a flat floor, and a liberal supply of clean salt sprinkled over the flesh. There should be no delay'in salting the skin, for bacterial action can then set in before the salt goes on, in which case it take? some time for the salt to gain the npper hand, allowing damage to be done. Some farmers buy cheap salt of poor quality for the curing of skins. It is false economy, and was one of the causes of damage to the hides which were bought in England and which proved unsatisfactory. Care in the treatment of hidesbe it on the station or small farm—is something which brings immediate returns, for the price paid for skins is absolutely in keeping with their condition. As this is the time of the year when most skinning is done the information given by the research officer should be of direct value to those farmers who, for one reason or another, handle the killing of their own calves.