Abstract

Attempts to ludge the efficiency of experimental curing from the volatile nitrogen produced were in several instances unsuccessful because storage in closed boxes to prevent escape of ammonia led to abnormal conditions of relative humidity, which in turn affected the conditions of cure. When a solution of sodium bicarbonate was used to absorb ammonia the relative humidity in the box was so high that the salt was leached away from the skin; at 75 r.h. in the presence of sodium chloride solution used to absorb ammonia, the skin under only 10 % salt tended to dry out.

Volatile nitrogen was also estimated in experimentally salted skins piled with commercially salted skins.

The results of those experiments which were acceptable emphasise the importance of using enough salt, and show an advantage to resalting and some improvement with the addition of antiseptic to the curing salt. Sodium chlorite was very satisfactory up to one month but on three months’ storage its effect was lost. The effect of naphthalene persisted for the three months of the experiment.

Comparison of sheep and calf skins showed them to stale similarly; they developed the same amounts of volatile nitrogen in overnight staling, and during the course of three months’ storage under salt.