SOLE LEATHER 61 



the more extensive use of extract, and this makes it imprac- 

 ticable as well as too costly to run these liquors down the 

 yard. They are therefore repeatedly strengthened with 

 extract and used again. 



The goods go through suspenders (20-4O) as usual 

 one week, and then through a round of suspender-handlers 

 (40-55) consisting of fresh sharp liquor from the leaches 

 together with quebracho extract. They are in this set two 

 weeks, and then are laid away. They receive three layers : 

 first, 105 for 2 weeks ; second, 110 for three weeks; and 

 finally, 120 for a month. Of the twelve weeks, therefore, 

 nine weeks (75 per cent.) are spent in layers. In this 

 method the goods are immersed in 3 per cent, sulphuric 

 acid after passing through the suspenders. 



There is possible, of course, a tremendous number of 

 variants of the above types. The number of handler 

 rounds is determined by the number of butts being dealt 

 with. With a large number it is more easily possible to 

 arrange for them to be in progressive strength as in Type i. 

 There are also many systems of working the layers, of 

 which the most notable is to make the second or third layer 

 from fresh leach liquor and extract, and strengthen it with 

 extract for the succeeding layers. It is then used as a 

 first layer and worked down the yard. 



The bellies and shoulders often go through separate 

 sets of liquors, but it is common to put them through 

 suspenders, and even handlers together. They receive, of 

 course, a distinctly shorter tannage, and are often drummed 

 with extract before laying away or after the first layer. 

 By way of illustration, the course of the offal and their 

 liquors may be given in the case of Type i. The shoulders 

 and bellies are coloured off in a paddle or drum with old 

 butt suspender liquor, which is then quite exhausted. They 

 then pass through suspenders (i8-4o) together in 4-5 

 days, and go through a handler round (40-55) for 3 

 weeks, including one duster. The bellies are removed after 

 2 weeks, and given three layers (60, 70, 80) of a week each. 

 They receive, therefore, nearly 6 weeks in all. The shoulders 



