86 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



were consumed for both these purposes. Gambier usually contains from 

 35 to 40 percent of pyrogallic tannin and comes from two species, namely 

 Uncaria gambier and U. acida. It produces a brown tannin which is 

 generally used in connection with other tanning agents. 



Kino is an astringent gum used in tanning and dyeing and for medi- 

 cines. It is derived from African or Gambia kino, which may yield up 

 to 75 per cent of tannin. Its imports to this country are not reported 

 separately in the customs statisties. The name is also applied to a num- 

 ber of tropical and sub-tropical plants. 



Wattle or mimosa is the trade name applied to several acacias of 

 Australia, South Africa and Tasmania. The black wattle is the Acacia 

 natalitia and it is also found in commercial quantities in the Acacia 

 pycnantha. Both barks are very rich in tannin. 



Cutch (Acacia catechu} is imported in large quantities, but is used 

 chiefly for dyeing purposes. It is occasionally used for tanning leathers 

 in connection with the dyeing operation. 



There are many other vegetable products among the barks, leaves, 

 twigs, roots, wood, fruit, etc., which are used occasionally as tanning 

 agents, but none has assumed any commercial importance as yet in 

 this country. Among them may be mentioned Mexican sumach, cas- 

 calote, several oaks (bark), etc., which have varying percentages of 

 tannin. 



IMPORTS 



The following table shows the amount and value of the imports of 

 tanning materials to the United States for the years 1914-1918, inclusive: 



QUANTITY AND VALUE OF CRUDE TANNING MATERIALS AND TANNING 

 EXTRACTS IMPORTED TO THE UNITED STATES FOR J914 TO 1918, IN- 

 CLUSIVE 



QUANTITY 



