Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-07-06
FASHIONS M LEATHER.


Russian Leather, Ooze Calf kangaroo,
Patent Leather and COrdovan.
In her choice OF leather Dame FASH
ion shows the same tickle mind as in
her selection OF dress goods or other
wearing apparel Last year very
pronounced demand was experienced
for Russia leather, and this year it
seems probable it will be more ex-
tensive. The distinctive odor which
characterizes the article seems
to have a peculiar fascination for the
general public, and they are no longer
content to have their pocket books, their
purses, their bags or their belts made
Of Russia leather, but they must wear
their boots. shoes or slippers made OF
the same material.
But Of all fashions pet feathers ooze
calf is this summer the favorite
Two years ago 1t was unknown. This
summer, in all the many original designs
for tasteful footgear, ooze calf plays
very conspicuous part. Its soft, vel
vety feeling and appearance no doubt
commend it to the favor of the ladies'
1t is really calf, small skins of fine fiber
being selected. The dyes are percolated
or oozed through it; hence its name.
The velvety feeling is given to the flesh
side by series of sandpapering, while
the grain side of the skins is slightly
pebbled. This permits of many com
binations from the same skin. Thus a
shoe may have vamp the velvet side
outward and quarters grain side out,
and as the head and neck Of the skin are
always slightly darker in shade than
the butt, those parts are used for trim
mings. The peculiar texture OF calf
skin permits of its being dyed
"fast color" in any color and shade
from jet black to bright orange or
cream white Though gray, tan, and
russell are the most in demand. close adj
herents of the --latest are now calling
for 'blood orange" Not only is ooze
calf being used in the manufacture OF
shoes, but it is also used to quite an ex.
tent by the makers of albums, pocket
books, hand bags. card cases, pen
wipers, and thousand other novelties.
Nor is this all, for the dressmakers
have caught the popular craze, and
ooze calf now adorns the head gear and
serves as the latest in dress trimmings.
Kangaroo is another OF fashions IA
vorites. 1t was first used in the manu-
facture OF shoes about twelve years ago,
since which time it has gradually
grown in favor. AS it has won public
favor entirely by its merits, it will
doubtless retain its popularity for some
years. 1t has tho virtue of being both
durable and very easy to foot. Its
strength is so great as to defy the pow
err Of ordinary mon to tear. The kan
CARGO was first hunted for sport The
Australian considered that his visiting
English cousin had not done the
country if he returned without enjoying
the excitement Of a kangaroo hunt The
kangaroo is now hunted for profit, the
hide being worth from seventy-6ve to
eighty-fve cents pound. AS shooting
Injuries the hide the killing is usually
done by clubbing.
During 1888 upwards OF 750, 900 kan
CARGO hides were imported into the
United States. Add to this the number
of hides consumed in Europe, and it
seems no wonder that the Australian
Government is now discussing the ad-
visibility of limiting the annual slaugh.
ter OF kangaroos.
Patent leather is one of the things OF
fashions fancy. The better grades OF
patent leather shoes are made from
patent calf 1t may be surprising to
many to learn that no patent calf is
made in this country, but it is all i'm
ported from Germany and France.
Some few years ago the tanners here
spent considerable money in trying TO
make patent calf that would compare
favorably in quality with the imported
article, but were unable to do it. Pat
ent leather and patent calf must not be
COMPOUNDED. OF the former large guam
titles are made here. it being tanned
from cowhide, while the latter is from
calfskin. Small calfskins of fine fiber
are selected. During the process OF
tanning they are stretched, else the
japan would soon crack. The process
of laying the japan followed in Ger
many and France is a secret the Amer
lean tanner has not yet learned. A
first quality patent calf, if not exposed
to sudden change of temperature, will
wear quite as we'll as the ordinary calf
The quality may be judged by the brill
liaucy OF the jet black. II the japan
has blush cast, depend upon it the
quality is not first-class, and let not tbs
smoothcst-tongued shoe salesman de
ceive you.
Cordovan has taken the place OF ALI
gator for wear in wet weather. This
too, is largely imported from Germany,
1t is made from certain parts of the
horse hide, and is a very durable
leather. 1t is impervious to water
and has a very smooth surface. II ii
not imported in sides, as are most kinds
of leather, but comes blocked to thu
shape of the vamp. Unlike calf, i
does not stretch in wearing, but retain
the shape of the last until the shoe il
worn out A few years ago it was yer,
expensive, but recently the tanner
have conquered many of the difficulties
in preparing the hide, and, with re
duced cost, it is now quite popular.
As to what is the coming leather n
man can tell. Almost every animal
and even reptile. has played part Il
the make up of fashionable foot gear
It was only few days ago the reporte