FINISHING PROCESSES 53 



and more complete. These oils have often the disadvantage 

 of leaving solid fats on the exterior of the leather, which 

 gives it an ugly smeared appearance. 



Stuffing the dressing leathers is carried out in a variety 

 of ways and with a variety of materials. The old process of 

 hand stuffing employs a mixture of tallow and cod oil called 

 ' ' dubbin . ' ' This is made by melting the ingredients together 

 and allowing them to cool with constant stirring to a nearly 

 homogeneous salve. The dubbin is brushed thickly on to 

 the flesh side of the sammed leather, which is then hung up 

 to dry. As the moisture dries out the oils and soft fats 

 penetrate the leather and leave the more solid fats on the 

 outside. The proportions of tallow and oil are varied with 

 the time of year and with the method of drying, for 

 if the dubbin be too soft it will run off the leather, and if 

 too hard will not penetrate it so well. 



Drum stuffing is a more modern development in which 

 a higher temperature is employed, about 140 F. The drum 

 is heated up by steam or by hot air, and the sammed goods 

 are then inserted and drummed for a few minutes until 

 they are warmed. The drum is fitted with a heated funnel 

 containing the melted grease, which is run in through the 

 hollow axle. After a half to three-quarters of an hour's 

 drumming the grease is completely absorbed by the leather. 

 The drumming is continued for a while until the goods have 

 cooled. Whilst still warm they are " set out " to remove 

 creases and superfluous grease. Drum stuffing is not only 

 quicker than hand stuffing, but also makes it possible to use 

 the hard fats, and so make a leather which carries more grease 

 without appearing greasy. Thus in drum stuffing, paraffin 

 wax and wool fat are used, and their penetration assisted 

 by small proportions of cod oil or degras. If the leather be 

 too wet the grease is not absorbed, whilst if it be drier than 

 usual the leather will take more grease, but the resulting 

 colour is not so good. There is also another method of 

 stuffing which originates from the Continent. It is known 

 as " burning in/' and involves the use of still higher tem- 

 peratures (195 to 212 F.). Wet leather will, of course, not 



