The village of Taylor's Falls is situated at the head of the Dalles. The hunting and fishing here are excellent.
John A. Rapue.
St. Paul, Minn.
How to Cure Skins.
Here is an answer to the question "How to cure the skins of small animals." After having removed the skin from the body, and having cleaned away from it all adherent flesh, anoint it with arsenical soap, for the making of which there are several ways, the following being the most used: arsenic, 1 ounce; white soap, 1 ounce; carbonate of potash, 1 drachm (1/3 of an ounce apothecaries' weight), distilled water, 6 drachms, camphor, 2 drachms.
This keeps the skin supple and prevents decay and attacks of insects. The larger skins are generally prepared with a composition called "preservation powder." Gloves should be worn in the process to prevent danger of poison from compounds. Some skins are prepared with alum only, and others with oak-bark liquor of the tanner's pits.
E. H.
Take equal parts of salt, saltpetre, and alum, pulverize and mix. Dampen the flesh side of the hide, and sprinkle the mixture on so that it will just about cover the surface. Fold the skin in the centre, flesh side in. Roll together snugly and tie. Keep in a cool place three or four days. Then take the mixture off, and with a dull case-knife scrape off all the fatty and meaty particles, being careful not to scrape through the skin. Keep working till the hide is dry and pliable.
You can put the skin on a flat board to scrape it, or a better way is to put a cloth on your knee and then place the skin on that to scrape, then you are not apt to cut it. A little experience will soon teach you how best to work, as different skins require more or less working according to thickness.