OTHER USES OF BARK BESIDES TAN. 515 



Slavonia, which j^repare from old oak-hark and refuse oakwood 

 of all descriptions a concentrated extract of tannin which is sold 

 at 40 francs per 100 kilos (IGs. a cwt.). It is not yet decided as 

 to the importance which may result from the application of 

 certain minerals to tanning. 



Pyrofuchsin prepared from wood- tar and coal-tar is also said 

 to be an important tanning agent. 



Section V. — Other Uses of Bark besides Tan. 



Regarding other uses of bark, birch-bark deserves a short 

 notice. It is used in Norway and other parts of northern 

 Europe for many purposes. For instance roofing, the under- 

 lying j)lank roof being covered with pieces of birch-bark measur- 

 ing a square foot, which are placed like tiles and covered with a 

 slight layer of earth. Such roofs last for 50 or 60 years. 

 Birch-bark is also made into vessels of all kinds, which in 

 Norway are even used for salting herrings. The great value of 

 birch-bark to the Norwegians may be imagined from the fact 

 that besides numerous other articles, they make shoes from it. 

 Birch-bark is similarly used on a large scale in Russia. The 

 use of birch-oil in the manufacture of Russia leather has been 

 already referred to (p. 509). 



[Canadian bircli-bark is largely used for making canoes, which are 

 sewn-together by means of tliin spruce-roots. It is also used for 

 packing material. In the Himalayas, the bark of Betula Bhojpatra 

 is used for making hats and umbrellas, also packing material, and has 

 been used as paper. — Tr.] 



The bark of many willows is used in the preparation of 

 salicin, or of lacker-dye, and for cattle-fodder, as will be seen 

 further on. 



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