To prepare a raw calf skin for a banjo, place the skin in a warm damp spot until sufficient putrefaction has taken place to enable the hair to readily slip; or the skin may be put into lime-water with lime in excess. The latter method is quicker, but involves more risk to an amateur. The hair is now scraped off, and the skin placed in the limewater (if this has not been previously done) to remove the grease. The skin is now put on a frame and well stretched in every direction, thoroughly scraped on both sides to remove dirt, loose cells, fat, and flesh, and to reduce the thickness, and then allowed to dry. The above is subject to little modifications. For example, the fleshing knife used by the practical man may be replaced by an ordinary knife and scrubbing brush; the thickness may be reduced by pumice-stone, and the colour improved by dusting on powdered chalk, etc.