Tanning with alum.

Here's another easy way for homesteaders with a few hides to make use of them without a lot of equipment and experience

Prepare the hide in the usual way by first salting it, removing all flesh and fat; and, if necessary, shave it down to the desired thickness.

The alum method of tanning is one of the oldest and simplest methods known. It is suitable for both light and heavy hides, but requires considerable "breaking up" as the alum has a tendency to harden and contract the skin.

Into four gallons of water stir one pound of powdered alum and one pound of salt. For very heavy hides you can put in as much as 1-1/4 pounds of alum to each four gallons of water.

Place this solution in a barrel and put the skins into same. Be sure that all parts are submerged.

As the tanning liquor works on the skin, it puts it into such a condition that the fleshing knife will take hold, so, after a hide has been in the solution a week or so, it should be removed, worked over a beam, and fleshed as found necessary. Work all hard spots until the tissue is thoroughly broken up and made as soft as the surrounding parts, so the tanning liquor can penetrate, which it cannot do if any part of the surface is hard and flinty.

After you have done this, apply to the interior of the hide a coat of neatsfoot oil, or softol. You can apply the oil quite liberally to heavy hides. It can be put on with a brush or cloth.

After it has been oiled, hang it up in the shade for several days, then take it down and work it over a beam again, and continue to do this until the hide is nice and soft.

A plastic trash can is an excellent container for your tanning solution.

This is a CoUNTRYSIDE reprint from 77/6:55.

MRS. D. TRAEGER KALISPELL, MONTANA