72 



frequent calls for the fibre by dealers and manufacturers 

 of cordage, and we are pleased to know that our corres- 

 pondent is taking steps for its culture and manufacture, as 

 it will prove highly profitable, the fibre being superior to 

 Manilla, and will find a ready sale at from 10 to 15 cents 

 per poiind. 



TA^-^^IXG material— sumac, oaks, mesquite, etc. 



There are several species of sumac indigenous in Texas, 

 which abound in tannin, vz: Rhus typhina, R. glabra, 

 R. copalina, R. pumila, R. aromatica,.R. virens and R. 

 microphylla. The first four of these grow in the eastern 

 and central portion of the State, the three last in the cen- 

 tral and western part. In the east, R. copalina is the most 

 abundant, where it and the first species are often associa- 

 ted, both having the common name of sumac and both 

 being used for tannery. Rhus glabra, or the smooth sumac, 

 abounds in swamps, and is poisonous to some people, to 

 others it is harmless. Rhus virens, or the evergreen sumac, 

 grows on limestone hills in the vicinity of Austin and 

 westward to the Rio Grande. It is a short or small tree. 

 Rhus microphylla, or the small leafed sumac, is common on 

 some of the hills of San Saba county, from which it also 

 extends westward to the Rio Grande. It is a large and 

 much branched shrub. R. aromatica is a shrub growing 

 in thickets on hills near Austin and westward to the Rio 

 Grande. 



* 



Sumacs abound throughout the' larger portion of the 

 State, apparently so common as to seem to be sufficient to 

 supply tannin for all the tanneries in the United States. 



In my last report, page 106, a large tannery at Dallas is 

 noticed. This tannerj^ was reported by one of its proprie- 

 tors, Mr. Dodge, to be making 8160,000 worth of leather 

 annually, using largely for tanning purposes the Texas 

 sumac, paying about $20 per ton for its dried leaves and 

 leaZ stems. This company report the Texas sumac to be 

 the cheapest, and to make leather equal to the best. 



' The foUpwing analysis of American sumac is taken from 

 the report of the chemist of the Agricultural Department, 

 at Washington, D. C, for 1869 : 



