BAG LEATHER 87 



of method for tanning split hides will now be outlined, and 

 the nature of the currying then indicated. 



Type i. In this a long mellow liming of 15-16 days is 

 given, much like that described for harness leather in Section 

 III., p. 72, Type 3. Only lime is used, but the liquors are 

 not allowed to get dirty. The three-pit system is much the 

 best. The hides are trimmed at the rounding tables, and 

 then bated in hen or pigeon dung for three days at 75-85 F. 

 The deliming is commenced by washing in tepid water before 

 bating, and is completed by a bath of boric acid, using up 

 to 30 Ibs. acid per 100 hides as necessary. In this and other 

 processes for split hides it is essential to obtain all the lime 

 out, but to do no plumping with acid. Lactic acid may also 

 be used, but it is not so convenient to hit the neutral point 

 with it. 



The tannage consists of oak bark and myrabs together 

 with gambier. These may be partly replaced by Natal 

 bark, valonia, and quebracho respectively. It is sometimes 

 desired to have a smooth finish, but sometimes to work up 

 a " grain." In the latter case the hides are first put through 

 colouring pits containing fresh leach liquor. In these they 

 are constantly handled for a few hours. A little experience 

 indicates which leach liquor will serve the purpose. The 

 hides then go through the " green handlers " (8-20) in 

 two weeks. The liquor is the old forward handler liquor 

 made up with gambier. The hides may be sammed and 

 split up at this stage, but the heavier goods may be tanned 

 further. These heavies and the grains of the split hides 

 now go through the " forward handlers " (20-4O) for four 

 weeks, and the heaviest goods given 'two layers (40) of two 

 weeks each, and making ten in all. 



Type 2. In this a shorter liming of 8-9 days is given 

 with the help of sulphide. No dung bate is used, but the 

 goods are washed with water and bated with ammonium 

 chloride and boric acid. The tannage is chiefly of myrabs, 

 but some valonia or Natal bark may be used together with 

 chestnut extract and some quebracho. Gambier is used in 

 the early liquors. The goods are coloured off in drum or 



