464 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



of Epsom salts, and as liigh as 15 per cent of glucose. The total maxi- 

 mum loading of the two found in any sample was 19 per cent. The 

 average amount of Epsom salts in the weiglited leather is 3 per cent, 

 of glucose S per cent. The average amount of tiiese adulterants in all 

 weighted leather is approximately 9 per cent. The water-soluble 

 materials in these leathers yhtj from 13 to 37 per cent. On this 

 basis ap])roxiihately 125,000,000 pounds of sole leather has been 

 injured and lowered in wearing value by the use of glucose and Epsom 

 salts, and the iVmerican public has paid the cost of at least 12,000,000 

 pounds of these materials, together w^ith the cost of working them 

 mto the leather, plus a profit to the tanner for doing it, all to secure a 

 less durable product. Nearly all of the leathers examined con- 

 tained as much or more uncombined tannin as the best oak or hem- 

 lock bark, and the greater part of this tannin is worse than wasted. 

 The weight of the leather is needlessly increased, thereby resulting 

 in increased cost, and, further, the tannin thus wasted would make 

 40,000,000 pounds of leather. There is urgent need of reform in 

 the tanning of leather, and the public should take immediate steps to 

 protect itself against the fraud and the waste of national resources 

 mvolved. 



PAPER AND PAPER-MAKING MATERIALS. 



The work on paper-making materials that are used but little and 

 on improved processes of treatment has been continued with very 

 encouraging results. It has been fully demonstrated that the waste 

 pine w^ood of the South and Northwest is suitable for the manufacture 

 of certain grades, especially manila wrapping, box boards, and other 

 strong papers. As there are large quantities of this waste wood, its 

 use for this purpose would greatly relieve the pressure on other woods 

 better suited to make white paper. It has been shown that at a 

 moderate estimate the value of the pulp, rosin, turpentine, and rosin 

 oils obtained from a cord of pine wood is more than $40. The utiliza- 

 tion of this waste material in this way is earnestly commended to 

 Eaper makers and investors, and constitutes one of the most promising 

 elds for industrial development. The results of this investigation 

 have also been compiled. 



Cooperative work with the Bureau of Plant Industry in regard to 

 the availability of certain plants as paper-making materials is being 

 continued. 



Cooperative work with the Post Office Department is being con- 

 tinued both at Dayton, Ohio, where a special laboratory is main- 

 tained for the examination of the stamped-envelope papers, and at 

 Wasliington. 



Numerous requests have been received from the several Federal 

 departments for tests of contract papers, for the preparation of speci- 

 fications, and for assistance in passing on supplies. Much work has 

 been done at the request of the General Supply Committee, the 

 Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Post Office Department. 

 In addition, a member of tliis laboratory has served on the sub- 

 committee on stationery of the General Supply Committee, and on 

 the envelope committee of the Post Office Department. This com- 

 mittee has made material savings, estimated at approximately 

 $180,000 in four years, in the cost of envelopes for the departments. 



