'File 10/8 Overseas trade enquiries' [‎218r] (435/495)

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the other hand keeping them in the brine onlv" 2 or 3 hours
will assist in removing the blood and slime Letter than
if only sea water is used.
(5). While the hide is still on the beaming board,it
should be trimmed. The outer edges and the sharp corners
and the small meat particles which may hang over after
fleshing should be cut off. The hide should be split in
the tail end. This is done simply by cutting from the hol<
left by the ventral fin towards the tail end,passing throu|
the hole left by the anal fin and then straight back to
where the tail nas been cut off. The leopara shark has on
the tail end two keels on bony ribs,one on each side,rHXH.ij
running from the tail along tne body 4 to 12 inches. This
^art of the hide of the Leopard shark is worthless,and has
to be cut off. The Sawfish is not split in the tail,but
this soecies also has two keecls or honey ribs extending
from tne tail end 4 to 12 incnes,which part of the hide is
worthless,and should be cut off.
(6). After the fleshing and trimming.the hides should be
thoroughly washed in sea water. No Blood or slime should
remain on the hides; they should then be salted for curing.
The curing is done m the following manner:
Sprinkle some salt on the platform or floor where the
hides will be laid. Then lay one hide on flat,flesh side
up,being sure to smooth out all wrinkles,and sprinkle
saltso as to cover every part of the surface. Tut plenty
of salt on the hide. On" top of this hide put the next one
flesh side up,and salt in the same manner,and so on. It is
preferable to lay the hides on a platform,which has a
straight incline,so that the water and brine can run off.
The pile of hides should be built up as evenly as possible,
without any bumps or depressions.
The large hides take about 8 days to cure. Even the
smaller hides should be left in this salt oile for 5 or 6
days during which they must be covered witn plenty of
salt, whilst curing they should not of course be exposed
to the rays of the sun,or come in contact with rain or
other fresh water.
Before oacking the hides for shipment they should be
measured. The measurement is ta^en frwn tip to tip. In
order to arrive at the length of the hide,it is customary
to fold same over.
The hides are prepared for shipment in barrels in the
following manner.
Shake the hide slightly so that the surplus salt falls odffi
They lay the hide on tne floor,flesh side up,and sprinkle
some dry salt over the entire surface. They fold so as to
make a flat square bundle of each hide. A 55 gallon barrel
will hold 25 average shark hides. The weight will be about
2751bs net. If the transportation Company will take hides
oacked in other containers than barrels,they can be used.
.,'atertight barrels are sometimes required by certain
steamship companied. This is on account of the leakage of
brine enroute.
Note.The salt used for curing and packing hides should not
be too course. Medium grain fishery salt gives the best
results. Mineral salt is ^referable to sea water salt. Be
sure that the brine is not too weak.and that sufficient
salt is used. The surplus CLEAN salt may be used over agai;
in which case a larger quantity must be used,as it
gradually loses its strength.