Notes on the Hides and Skins Industry

Abstract

There is much wastage of valuable raw material because many sheep and goat skins are not prepared for the market and many calf, kid, and lamb skins are not preserved. There is a further loss to the industry through failure to prepare and dry the small skins from still-born calves and those taken from females which died or were slaughtered in the late stages of pregnancy. The individual value of these skins will be little but in the aggregate they would bring in a larger sum than is commonly supposed. The evils of branding have been stressed but the high percentage of branded hides being marketed indicates that much remains to be done to eliminate this serious defect. Brands should never be large nor deep and should be placed on the least valuable portions of the hide. All surplus males should be castrated at an early age and thereby decrease the proportions of the lower-quality "bull" hides and skins. The keeping of female stock long after they have passed their peak of efficiency should be discouraged as hides and skins from such aged animals reduce the average quality standard and the reputation of East African origins. The slaughtering of prime stock before the dry season is too advanced would allow heavier and better hides and skins to be marketed as well as leaving more food for the remaining stock. The provision of dry-season reserves of food and water would help to reduce the annual loss to the industry caused by the thin, light hides and skins from starved animals.