The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-09
Tanning. Kew Process.

Il
We have been shown within few days,
number ofspecincns Of Heather, portion
Of them with the hair on, tanned BY q now
process, discovered and patented by Mr. Otis
B. Wattles, Of New York, which !. said to
DO at once, cheap and simple, reducing tho
labor and time Of tanning, and increasing
tho weight and quality Of the leather pro-
duocd. The specimens arc oil Of them plia-
bic, compact and the bcst Of leather "for
custom work." precisely Of such . quality
a would give satisfaction to all who have
to patronize the sons of St. Crhpian. The
process promises to rcvolutioni1c the whole
system Of tanning, giving tho commu.
nifty instead of open and spongy leather, the
life killed by hot liquors, and the e1tnya.
CANT use Of lime, quality Of leather which
has impcrmcability, pliability, and strength.
Some ofthe essential qualities Of leather,
and make II enduring, which arc taken
away by the old method, are LEFT In It by
Mr.. wattlcs' improvement. In regard to
tanning with tho hair on, Mr.. wattlcs' dis
covcry must make IN entire revolution In
this branch, rendering as Il does, the lcath.
er perfectly soft and pliablc, tho uses to
which Il may be put, such as furnishing
materials for winter boots, ovcnhos, over.
coats and other clothing are innumerable.
With full suit Of clothes from skins tanned
by this process, coats, pants and boots, any
one might bid defiance to the wet and cold,
and be rs comfortable and easy In the wear
Of the garments, rs in suit of broadcloth.
We are already in for pair Of boots, to be
made with the hair side in, and We expect
when winter sets in to bid farewell 10 the
annoyance Of cold feet, to which we have
always been subject, and IL wc should ap-
pear out, next winter dressed In skins, 10
as to resemble the people towards the North
Pole, with whom Kane and his party en-
joycd themselves in the merry dance, our
friends may be assured that Il will be owing
to the consideration Of friends who have
been enabled to supply US with warm and
comfortable clothing through tho agency Of
Mr.. Wattles' improvement.
Tho Scientific American speaking of the
process, says: -.E
"Mr. Wattles' process consists in the uso
of ingredients for the purpose Of softening
hide, improving It's quality, and preventing
tho injurious effects which have hitherto
arisen from the use of lime in unhairing.-
The great study Of all tanners has always
been to turn out leather with as little inju-
ry n possible to the gclatinc Of which II is
largely composed. But their Efforts have
generally been fruitlcss. One of the best
improvements in this direction was Patent
granted for the use Of potash in combination
with lime and salt but tho potash robbed
the skin Of large amount OF It's gclatino
and formed soap. The quality of tho lcath-
or thus procured, though better than tho
old mode permits, is still defective. Mr..
Wattlcs has truly discovered the 'philoso-
piers stone" The application Of his bate
or drcnch, while II clcanses out tho lime
perfectly, softens the skin and opens the
pores for the reception Of tho tannin liquor,
without in any way impairing the gela-
tine. It's combination with the tannin H.
quor also has modifying effect, which IL
very important, whereby green hides may
DO introduced into strong liquors without
any danger of their becoming hard. In
deed, his chemicals. by, ncutrali,ino undue
acidity and opening tho pores, causes the
liquor to pcnetnte the skin moro readily,
and unite quickly and thoroughly with the
gelatine, the result being the production Of
a superior quality Of very firm and perfect
ly pliable leather. VIZ regard this a. an
invaluable improvement, and well worthy
the attention Of those to whose special inter-
ests II relates" ~
The exclusive right to use this process in
any Town, County or State unsold, or In
single tanneries, for sale on reasonable
terms by Shaw 4 Clark Of our city.