86 THE HUNTER AND TEAPPER. 



the hides from the soak, and scrape off the hair and flesh 

 with a fleshing knife. 



The hides, by being soaked in the lime liquor, are raised 

 too much to be submitted to the tanning liquor. They 

 must first be reduced to their original thickness, by being 

 entirely freed from the lime. This is done by what is 

 termed "bating." 



A bate is made of ten gallons of cold, soft water, one 

 half bushel of wheat bran, and a quarter of a pound of 

 sulphuric acid. It should be prepared a day or two before 

 using, in order that the bran may ferment. By using 

 lukewarm instead of cold water, the process will be 

 hastened. Put the hide into this bate, and let it remain 

 mitil it is reduced to its natural thickness and is as soft as 

 a green liide. Then remove it and rinse it in soft water, 

 and work it out, at least once, over the fleshing beam. 

 For a thick hide, a second rinsing and working will be 

 necessary. 



Tanning Liquor. — For light hides, add one-half bushel 

 of wheat bran to ten gallons of soft, warm water, stirring 

 it in. Let it stand in a warm room until it ferments, then 

 add seven pounds of salt, and stir it until it dissolves ; 

 then add slowly, and stir in, two and a half pounds of 

 sulphuric acid. Into this liquor put the hide, and handle 

 it until it is perfectly saturated. 



This tan will impart no color to the leather, but will act 

 as a mordant for setting a variety of bark or vegetable 



