Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-11-16
orrespo I, d { nfe.
t'or the Ellsworth American.

BosToN, Nov. 1866.
Mr.. EpIToI:-
\ gentleman in your locality an acquain-
tancc of mine. has written to me enclosing
an advertisement which he cut from your
paper. in relation to the manufacture of
"lIemlock Bark Extract" desiring me to
make some inquiry rs to the extent of its
use in this vicinity md favorable demand
for the article when it should be generally
adopted by Tanners.
As this is matter which will naturally
interest large number Of your readers.
have thought best to reply to his inquiries
through your columns. should You deem
the matter of sufficient Importance to give
it publicity. There are two interests to
which this matter directly appeals. The
owners Of lIcmlock lands and the consam-
ers of llcmlock Bark. 1t is well known
act that ths immense consumption OF Hem
lock Bark by farmers in the towns adja-
cent to this city. has SO far reduced the ar
ticle in the older settlements. as to compel
manufacturers of leather to seek their sup
plies of Bark from the remote lIemlOck tor
es,s of Maine. New Hampshire and Yer
mont. The great expense i'll transporta-
ton has enhanced the price of Bark in this
market to such an extent as to prevent the
business Of leather manufacturing i'll this
vici"ity. keeping pace with the growing
demand for the product. aud lettering men
of small capital from entering into the bus
mess.
For this reason too the manufacturers Of
sole leather arc forced into the great cx-
pemsc of transporting their hides to the dis
tant llcnlock regions and returning their
leather to market. Manufacturers Of light
stock (skins and upper lcather) are Obliged
from the nature Of their business to conduct
it in the vicinity of the markets. The ex-
tent OF the leather manufacturing business
in the vicinity of this city. may be inferred
from the estimated amount annually paid
for transportation alone on Bark consumed
by Farmers, which exceeds one million OF
dollars.
The substitution Of a good article Of "Ex-
tract made from HemlOck Bark will not
only have a tendency to do away with these
difficulties to which have alluded ut will
very naturally increase tho manufacture "I
leather in this vicinity, men with smaller
capital can engage in this business, as they
can avoid the expenses Of erecting mach'-
ncry for grinding and teaching their Bark
"a we'll ns the investment Of considerable
capital to keep necessary supply OF BARK
on hand. From the extent to which tins
extract is now used ny tanners and the ~
,luee,,ents to use it which have endeav0r-
ri to set forth. believe that if they could
feel assured Of an untailing supply they
would universally adopt it. These c"nclu
.ions warrant me in the belief that the man
ufacturcrs of extract in the Hrmlock dis
tricts of NewEngland will soon become one
of the most profitable and extensive trades
i, ,hcs. localities. In those districts from
which it has been heretofore unproiitable
O bring the lark OH account OF the great
distance and expense Of hauling it to X. H.
s,o,;ons or to tilo water. the business OF
manufacturing the extract may be profta-
by prosecuted, aud in those localities where
the Bark is now collected, the manuiac-
turers of extract may pocket seven e'ghths
of the freight which has hitherto been paid
for the transportation OF Bark. ..-.
G. B. c.