SUMACH 97 



Sumach 



The Sicilian, elm-leaved or tanner's sumach (Rhus 

 Coriaria) is a shrub which grows wild throughout a large 

 part of the Island, being principally found among the 

 vineyards on the slopes of the southern range of hills. The 

 leaves are largely used in the leather tanning industry, 

 and a considerable export might have been established 

 to the United Kingdom had it not been for dissatisfaction 

 caused by the excessive presence of impurities, such as 

 lentisc leaves and dust, which were usually found in the 

 consignments sent. 



One sample was sent by the Agricultural Department 

 to the Imperial Institute in 1909. This was found to 

 consist wholly of sumach and no lentisc or other leaves, 

 and gave on examination the following results : Moisture, 

 io- 1 ; ash, 9-8 ; tannin (by hide-power method), 26-9 ; 

 extractive matter (non-tannin), 16-7 per cent. The report 

 showed that the leaves produced a good leather, similar 

 in texture and colour to that obtained with Sicilian sumach, 

 and was considered likely to fetch about the same price 

 as a medium quality of Sicilian sumach, which contains 

 from 25 to 30 per cent, of tannin (see BULLETIN OF THE 

 IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, vol. x. 1912, p. 45). 



Two further samples were sent in 1916. The first sample 

 " consisted of a finely-ground yellowish-green powder, 

 containing a quantity of sand, small stones and iron dust." 

 The second sample consisted of a " coarsely-ground, 

 yellowish-green powder, containing a quantity of pinkish 

 unground twigs, sand and small stones, together with 

 some iron dust." 



The results of examination were as follows : 



Both samples were low in tannin, compared with the 

 Sicilian percentage of 25 to 30. 



