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Article VII. 



A Method of Tanning Leather without Oak-Bark, 

 difcovered and proved by William White, Tanner , 

 of Ajlohurton, Devon. 



I Have tanned feveral hides and calves iliins (thefe 

 three years part) with oak-leaves only, and have 

 found that the leather is tanned quicker, weighs as 

 well, and anfwers for wear in all refpe^ts as well as if 

 tanned with oak-bark, as hath been proved by feveral 

 perfons who are judges. The leaves which I u/ed 

 were gathered when the coppice was felled, which 

 was about the latter end of May ; the expence of 

 which did not amount to the ripping of the oak : 

 the leaves were dried juft in the fame manner as hay; 

 for if they are put together before they are properly 

 dry, they will heat and fpoil. As the oak was felled, 

 there was no damage done in gathering the leaves, 

 as they were thought ufelefs. The leaves are in 

 greater perfedion for tanning about October; and I 

 do fuppofe that the gathering of them from the oak 

 at that time would not occafion any damage, as they 

 otherwife will foon fall off. If the weather fliould 

 prove wet, they may be thrown into a large room, 

 about two or three feet deep, and turned or tumbled 

 about once a day until dry and fit for ufe. 



I have found by experience that 3olbs. weight of 

 leaves are equal to i cwt. of good bark in tanning 

 leather; and do fuppofe that half the bark that is 



<"' 2 ufed 



