842 REroRT— 1898. 



anal3'ses of the soils according to a slight modification of Osborne's method of 

 subsidence has also been commenced. This enables one to determine the percentage 

 of soil consisting of particles within certain limits of size, and thus to obtain a 

 rough approximation to the total surface area of the soil particles. No doubt the 

 attraction of the soil for moisture is dependent verj- largely upon the surface area 

 of the particles ; though certain preliminary experiments, which the author was 

 enabled — through the kindness of Sir Henry Gilbert — to carry out at Rothamsted 

 some time ago ou the soil of the Broadbalk field, lead him to believe that the 

 relation is not so simple as might at first sight be expected. 



The selection of suitable fields and the collection of samples are carried out by 

 the agricultural staff of Reading College, and the author's colleagues take the 

 ojjportunity of making notes at the time of the various physical features of the 

 land, &c. With a view to obtaining a thoroughly general knowledge of the soils 

 of Dorsetshire, it is proposed to sample and analyse one hundred of them, in the 

 manner indicated, during the course of the next five years. It is important to 

 mention that this investigation is being carried out under the auspices of the 

 Dorsetshire County Council, who have made a grant towards the necessary 

 expenses. 



5. Report on the Carbohydrates of Cereal Straws. — See Reports, p. 293. 



6, Interim Report on the Promotion of Agriculture. — See Reports, p. 312. 



TUESBAT, SEPTEMBER i:i. 

 The following Papers and Reports were read :— 



1. Recent Advances in the Leather Trade. By J. Gordon Parker, Ph.D. 



A new and important tanning material, containing upwards of 30 per cent, of 

 tannin, is canaigre. To light leathers, tannage with it gives suppleness and 

 mildness. Quebracho is increasingly used. The most important change of 

 method, however, in the manufacture of leather is the now almost universal 

 employment of extracts, principally those of oakwood and chestnut — a method 

 which is the indirect outcome of chemical science. Up to a comparatively 

 recent date there was no known chemical means by which one extract could 

 be detected from the other. The tanner's chemist can, however, now determine 

 between them, and also detect their adulterants, quebracho, myrabolams, cutch, 

 divi-divi, algarobilla, &c. 



The extended use of extracts has brought about improved methods of estimat- 

 ing the tanning values of materials used in tanning. The considerable 

 dinerences in the results of analyses of one and the same sample by diflerent 

 chemists culminated in the holding in Loudon of a conference, and the formation 

 at that conference of the International Assiwiation of Leather Trades' Chemists ; 

 an Association from which much may be expected, particularly in the direction of 

 the adoption of standard methods for the analysis of tanning materials. 



In regard to the fermentation that takes place in tan liquors, chemistry had 

 already afforded considerable enlightenment. One no longer talks of the waste of 

 tannic acid and the formation of gallic acid ; but the presence of acetic, lactic, and 

 propionic acids is detected, their percentage easily estimated, and in every well- 

 regulated tanyard their value and uses are thoroughly appreciated. The formation 

 of mould is checked, and the action of certain antiseptics thoroughly understood. 



The bateing and puering of skins by means of dog and hen excrement is a 

 standing disgrace to the leather trade. Many substances in substitution for excre- 

 ment have been tried, but not with much success. The opinion is generally held 

 that bacteriological action is necessary in the bateing and puering process, and Mr. 



