Abstract

This paper discusses preservation of calfskins and hides by drumming in dry salt. Pack tanning trials are reported that compare leather yield and quality from stack and drum cured hides. To eliminate yield deficiency and distribution of grease in the hair and the flesh, hides should be fleshed prior to drum salting, the temperature should not exceed 25°C during drumming (3 h for calfskins; 6 h for hides) and the hides should be adequately spread out after curing. In New Zealand, six large plants use 4 rev/min drums or mixers for curing hides and calfskins; 30% w/w salt, 0.5% w/w boric acid and 0.25% w/w naphthalene is the mixture used for each load.