LARCH BARK FOR TANXING LEATHER. 227 



ing purposes, our agent observed the nails of his fingers to be stain- 

 ed, which induced l.i:n to think, that the bark of this Irec miglit be 

 uj^eTul in tanning leather ; a thought that struck the active mind of 

 my father many years ago, when he was desirous of trying its virtues 

 in this necessary and useful business, but was prevailed upon to 

 give up the project, on being told that a tree containing lurpentiriC 

 would not answer the purpose ; his adviser thinking the larch was 

 a species of the tir tribe, instead of the cedar. In consequence of 

 this renovated idea, I was determined to have the most impartial 

 trial made of the bark of the oak, and that of the larch, and in or- 

 der to show the latter no lavor, 1 procured some of the best oak 

 bark in the country, such as can rarely be puichased, and took that 

 of the larch from a small young tree. 1 next purchased two calf- 

 ekins, of the same value, weight, and quality ; and put as much of 

 the tine oak bark to one skin, as was applied of the larch bark to 

 the other, both remaining in the pits the same time. During the 

 operation, as we repeatedly weighed a certain measure of larch 

 liquor against the oak, the latter alwa}s requiied an additional 

 quantity to make the scales equal ; which accoimls for the skin 

 tanned by larch, being above one pound and a quarler heavier than 

 the other, which it was, when dried and ready for tlie currier, the 

 increase being gradually perceptible during the whole business. 

 Which of the two skins proved the best, I leave to the Society to 

 determine ; but I flatter myself, that, exclusive of the additional 

 ■weight of that produced from larch, the color of it is preferable for 

 gloves, saddles, boots, &lc. 



As I am proceeding with some other experiments, one of them 

 will, I hope, prove which of the two infusions that the skins were 

 tanned in, will atibrd the greatest weight of leather, in order to 

 produce a fair test of the intrinsic value of both trees, when applied 

 to tanning; the result of which I shall do myself the honor of lay- 

 ing before the Society at a future period. 



it must be observed, that the bark of oak and birch (the two 

 kinds used to any extent) can only be taken otFthe trees for a very 

 few weeks ; whereas larch bark may be collected at any period 

 during three parts of the year ; and, I believe, with almost as good 

 eflfect even in winter ; and, as the bark is stript off this tree with 

 very little trouble, the expense of doing it is much less than the 

 oak. It is unnecessary for me to inform the Society, that as oak 

 is daily decreasing in lliis country, so as to require a great annual 

 importation, the larch tree (which I believe there is little doubt of 

 being the^edar of Lebanon) is in a fair way to be as celebrated 

 herea/ter, as_it was in former times. * * * * 



I am, Sir, your most obedient Humble Servant, 



Thomas White, 



To C. Taylc-i, M. D. Sec. 



Woodlands, 26/A June, 1812. 

 Sir, — T am sorry that I have not been able to send before, two 

 pieces of leather, of a strong quality, tanned with larch bark ; and 



