The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-25

tanners are specialists and separately
they are often familiar only with the
manipulations of their own particular
branch, hence we say the trade from
the beginning to it's numerous ends is
widely divided.
Websters International Dictionary
describes leather as follows: THE skin
of an animal, or some part of such skin.
tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for
use; also, dressed hides collectively"
In the trade there Is unfinished leather
and undressed leather.
The word 'tawed'' is defined as fol-
lows: '"To dress and prepare" etc.
At the recent hearing before United
States general appraisers in New York
on what was called the ''pickled sheep
skin case" expert testimony was given
on leather in general and in particular
that proved of great value even to those
who have been in business over forty
years as specialists. All around the
trade has been benefited. One witness
in particular, George w. Adler, presi-
dent of the Eureka Tannage company,
Philadelphia, a man well Versed In
many of the branches, gave testimony
that has been commented upon through
the entire country In an interview
with Mr.. Adler on the subjects of
picked skins, tawed skins and leather,
Mr.. Adler said in effect: "The mer-
chandise recognized in trade as picked
splits is the one-half of a sheepskin
which has been split by splitting ma
chine, one of the halves being known
as 'fiesher, the other half as split
A picked sheepskin is one that has not
been split, /. e., the whole skin. Meth
err picked sheepskins nor splits and
fleshers are commercially known as raw
skins.
1.-The raw sheepskins, after being
soaked in water, have their wool re-
moved by pulling, being treated to
sweating process, or painting on the
flesh side with a suitable depilatory
Chaving the quality or power of remov-
ing hair, an application to take off
hair), such as arsenic combined with
lime by shaking, slaked lime forming
paste or paint with water, a solution
of sodium sulphur, etc. After the wool
is removed the skins are immersed in
a bath of milk of lime Cline and water
of suitable density) for period of sew
en- to ten days, according to conditions,
the skin being frequently handled dur
ing the period of time required for lin
ing in the above-named bath. A recent
system, involving the use of a solution
of sodium sulphide, admits of shorten
ing the time to twenty-four hours and
dispenses with handling after beam
work. The lining system requires
working Of the skin on both grain and
flesh side and an after bathing or
drenching of the skin by means Of gen.
orally bran fermentation. The bran
drencn is composed OF water ana bran
of suitable density and temperature.
Skins treated by the lining system as
above involve the employment of skill
ed labor or machinery. From the
drench the skins are usually again
worked on the beam. In all cases the
skins should be thoroughly cleansed
previous to picking, which consists Of
treating the skin to solution of salt
and sulphuric acid and water, in such
as to strike or cure the skin
sufficiently to render 1t -putrescible
and in a merchantable and compare
lively imperishable condition.
From the picking bath the skins
are drenched, sorted, rolled into bum
dies of dozen each, packed in casks
when they are ready for market or the
endurance Of transportation. The pic