358 ^^6 Philippine Journal of Science wis 



fiber and to hasten the absorption of the tannin. Such is the 

 effect of kneading that the hides are almost half "struck" by the 

 fourth day. They are then laid away in the tan pits for six 

 weeks to complete the tannage. After this, if they are not 

 to be sent to market immediately, they are laid in pits, called 

 tingalan, with old, exhausted tan liquor. Sometimes they are 

 left here for years. "\Mien required, they are taken to the river, 

 thoroughly washed and cleaned, stretched on sticks, and exposed 

 to direct sunlight. "^Tien dry, they are sent directly to the 

 market without further treatment. 



DEFECTS OF THE FILIPIXO PROCESS 



The process outlined above is very inefficient in many respects. 

 In a study of the process the following defects proved to be 

 among the most significant : 



1. The putrefaction of the hides diiring the process with consequent 



loss of hide substance. 



2. Waste in tanning materials. 



3. Undertannage of the product. 



4. Imperfect drying and finishing. 



Of these defects by far the most important is that of putre- 

 faction. During the rainy season this is especially difficult for 

 the tanner to prevent, and it is commonly the custom to shut 

 down the tanneries almost completely during that period. The 

 decay is e\idenced by a veiy disagreeable odor which not only 

 develops in the leather itself, but which also pervades the entire 

 tannery and becomes almost suffocating. Skins in which 

 putrefaction occurs tan on both exterior surfaces, while the 

 interior of the hide liquefies. The pelt commonly splits into 

 grain and flesh sheets. The Filipino tanners attribute the 

 putrefaction to dilute tan liquors, which they believe are caused 

 by the use of barks collected during the rainy season. Usually 

 the putrefaction occurs most markedly during the first days of 

 tannage, and at this stage soft, gray spots, which frequently 

 suppurate, may develop. Such spots do not tan at all, and. of 

 course, the entire skin is ruined thei'eby. Aside from this ruin- 

 ing of the skins by putrefaction, a less extensive decay prevents 

 proper plumping and swelling of the hides and consequent proper 

 absorption of tannin. For this reason it is almost impossible 

 for Filipino tanners to tan thick hides. 



The Filipino tanners endeavor to control this putrefaction by 

 adding large quantities of fresh bark to the tan pits and by more 

 frequent kneading of the hides. This procedure, however, is 



