New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29

costly experiment has Decn WnethcI IL - p'''~'
TO ship TO the tanneries on the Atlantic coast anu
in Europe especially Scotland the dried canal
gre chips or the fluid extract OF the roots. The
problem has not yet been solved to the satlsIac-
ton OF some tanners and others who are put
ting tens OF thousands of dollars into the unique
enterprise. When il is there is reason to believe
the canaigre industry will develop into one OF
the most important In the Southwest and the
greatest blessing the settlers on the edges OF
the desert wastes have ever known.
TREATING ROOTS IN JERSEY CITY
The principal product OF the vast area near
Rialto. In San Bernardno County, planted 10
canaigre has been shipped In the sliced form to
Jersey City, n. j.. where there is the largest
concern in the world for extracting the tanning
essence from the roots. The company having in
charge the canaigre extraction at Jersey CITY
has kept It's workings and processes secret for
several years. No one employed there is al
lowed 10 speak OF what results have been accom-
plished in the factory from the constant expert
ments going on there. and no one but the man
ayers knows what percentage Of the tanning
fluid the san BernardinO canaigre farms have
been yielding.
The fannie acid extracted from canaigre has
a peculiar quality which indicates that nature
!
TO burn and destroy leather in its solution, as
it is easy to do with a solution Of tanbark too
strong for the hides and the cells Of the sub
stance to be tanned will absorb enough to com
plete the change and then will take no more,
and no alteration in the tissue takes place after
ward. In few hours. varying with the sort Of
hide to be tanned. the acid of the canaigre has
done its work and the saving Of three months
time and A vast deal of human labor in the pro
duciion OF leather indicates that eventually the
whole leather-usng world is to be the bene-
1ciary OF this humble plant.
The botanical name of canaigre is "RumeX
ny menosepalus." but all through the Southwest
ii bears its Spanish appcllatiOn. When the
Spaniards made their conquest OF Mexico they
found that the Indians were acquainted with
the art OF lcather-maklng. and that they used
the juice OF plant for that purpose. This plant
doubtless tho canagre and the Indians Of
Arizona and New Mcxico from remote antiquity
have so utilized it. and, moreover, they make a
pleasant acid sauce from the leaves and stem,
and press out also. from this part OF the plant
acid cider They long ago discovered that
tannin valuable as remedial agent and
used the juice Of the canaigre astringent
wash for ulcers.
Il firmly believe that The close OF the next
decade will see the long abandoned canaigre
plant productive Of as much wealth to the peo-
pie in California and the Southwest Terri
tories as alfalfa or oranges" said Professor
James McCintock. who came from Edinburgh,
Scotland. to spend his life in developing the new
industry. THE canagre plants tanning prop
critics not known to the tanning world until
the Worlds Fair in Chicago. four years ago so
the industry is still in it's punest infancy. and
it is growing fast. 1t has increased % per cent
In the last twelve months in Arizona and New
Mexico and it will grow faster than that in
California and the Territories in 1899 II canal
gre will make good tanning fluid the American
tanners alone will use sufficient fluid to consume
the product Of over 1850 900 acres OF canaigre
plants. In Scotland alone the tanners will
enough Of the fluid TO keep over 700 900 acres OF
soil busy growing canaigre year in and year
out. Twenty million dollars would not begin to
pay for all the tanning fluid used In the United
States in any year
THE BEGINNING OF THE INDUSTRY.
"Canaigre culture as an industry began after
the Worlds Columbian Exposition. A resi-
dent for a time in Mexico had witnessed the tan
ming OF leather by the canaigre root fourteen
years ago. and, having a curiosity to learn the
nature Of the plant sent specimens 20 Boston
for analysis This was the beginning Of q series
Of tests costing $4,000 in 80 aggregate, and
demonstrating beyond doubt the properties
OF canaigre. An experimental station was
formed by the Government In Arizona and the
culture OF the plant closely studied. first
award for extracted tannin and for canaigre
chips was made at the Exposition. and since that
time oanaigre- growing has become an estab-
lished industry, and one that is likely to turn
the desert into fruitful fields.
THE possibilities OF canaigre are limitless and
within few years California will probably be