CLOTHING THE EXTREMITIES 



is hard to understand, since the sheep is so closely 

 related to the deer. 



Fortunately at this stage of the process, chemistry 

 came to the aid of the tanner, and various chemical 

 substitutes were found for deer-brains. Without en- 

 tering into details, it suffices to say that an elab- 

 orate and extended process of soaking, washing, and 

 coloring is necessary before they are ready for delivery 

 to the glove-maker. 



The first process of the glove-maker is that of "hand- 

 staking " the skin. This consists in placing the skin 

 in a device consisting of two upright and two hori- 

 zontal bars, one of the latter being movable to admit 

 the skin, and held in place by a wedge. The skin is 

 then stretched by pressing upon it with a blunt, spade- 

 shaped iron, having a handle made to fit under the arm. 



When sufficiently stretched the skin is split by va- 

 rious methods, or shaved down to the required thick- 

 ness. A peculiar method of shaving down the skin is 

 by what is called " mooning." In this process a pe- 

 culiar knife is used, being " shaped like a plate and 

 having the center cut out and a handle placed across 

 the opening." This is drawn over the skin hung on 

 an elastic pole until the desired thinness is obtained. 

 The skin is then ready for either the " block-cutters" 

 or the " table-cutters." 



In block-cutting the skin is laid on a block of hard 

 wood, a die of the required shape placed carefully 

 upon it, and given a blow with a wooden mallet. 

 This kind of cutting is done mostly in the coarser grades 

 of gloves. 



