ight skins like the fox will tan in 24 to 48 hours; heavier ones in
proportional time. When on pulling or stretching the flesh side, it
whitens, it is tanned. On taking from the tan, rinse the skin well in
lukewarm water containing a handful of washing soda to the bucketful.
Wring out with the hands and soak again in benzine for half an hour.
Wring out of this and clean the fur at once as follows:

Fill a shallow box part full of clean sand or corn meal which has been
heated in a pot or pan over the fire or in an oven. Work the skin about
in this until the fur is filled with the meal; then shake or beat it
out. Repeat the working in meal and beating until the fur is clean and
bright. Never put a damp skin into the meal without the gasoline bath
first, or you will have the time of your life getting the meal out.
Regular fur dressers use very fine saw dust, but meal is to be had
anywhere. Plaster of paris will do, but it is most too fine. This
treatment with gasoline or benzine removes the grease and animal odors
so apt to cling to Indian or home-dressed skins. After cleaning, allow
the skin to partly dry in the air and shade; then soften it by
stretching, pulling and rubbing in every part. There is no way to
accomplish this without work. A pad made of old bags, pieces of blanket,
etc., put on the beam, the skin placed on that and stretched in all
directions with the blunt edge of the fleshing knife is as good as any
way. Keep up the stretching until the skin is quite dry. If any part
should dry out too fast for the operator (that is, before it gets
stretched) it can be dampened with water on the flesh side and then
treated like the rest. If it is wanted extra soft the skin may be
thinned down with sandpaper. If the dressed skin is wanted to lie flat
as for a rug, it can be moistened on the flesh side; then stretched out
and tacked fur side up on a board, the table top or the floor until dry.
If this should cause it to harden or stiffen too much break it again
without stretching too much.

Another very good tanning solution is the following:

Salt 1 quart
Oxalic acid (pulverized) 4 ounces
Water 2 gallons

Dissolve well and immerse the skins, treating them as already directed,
rinsing in clear water only. It is also best to allow a little more time
for tanning in this solution.

While on the subject of dressing skins a few words in regard