Abstract

The extensive American work on sampling locations showed which locations give the most accurate estimates of mean values for whole sides. In this work, extreme edge locations were not considered, possibly because they were regarded as unlikely to be satisfactory. However, routine control testing is much more likely to be used in tanneries if the samples can be taken from the edges, where the cutting of the leather is less obvious and less damaging. We have accordingly examined various edge locations for physical tests on sides. An area on the britch edge, 280 mm from the back bone and between 50 and 125 mm from the britch edge appears to be only slightly inferior to the best sampling position within the side, and is quite suitable for routine physical testing. The results of chemical analyses are less dependent on location, and the same position could be used for chemical analyses. For smaller sides and skins the distance from the backbone should be decreased to give an anatomically similar location.