THE TECHNOLOGIST. [Dec. 1, 1864. 



212 MANUFACTURE OF GLOVES 



"We a]3preeiate with more interest the essential qualities of these 

 beautiful and excellent Algerian pastes, as this question concerns in the 

 highest degree the public health, which is every day menaced by 

 adulterations of many kinds introduced into products which are most 

 necessary for use. 



MANUFACTURE OF GLOVES IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Kid Gloves.— In dressing kid or goat skins for gloves the process 

 varies considerably from that practised upon buck and sheep skins. The 

 skins are first soaked in water arid "fleshed," and are then thrown into 

 the vats of lime-liquor. From these they are removed after a period 

 that varies from three to six weeks, according to the season of the year, 

 a much longer time being required for most of the processes in winter 

 than in summer. Here they are lifted, and turned, and moved, and 

 replaced until the hair is sufficiently loosened. They are then taken 

 from the vats and stretched upon the " beam," and the hair is then 

 removed with the blunt drawing-knife, but not the grain, as in the 

 coarser skins ; and great care is taken not to deface or injure the surface. 

 They are next put into a " drench " of bran and water, or more properly 

 moistened bran, where they remain for a considerable time. This 

 softens and renders the skin very pliable. On being removed from this 

 the tanning process takes place. The skins are covered by a mixture 

 of salt and alum, which soon makes leather of them. After being 

 thoroughly cleansed and dried they are ready for the finishing pro- 

 cesses. They are suspended and " staked," that is, evened by a blunt 

 knife drawn over the surface. Afterwards they are spread out upon a 

 flat surface and rubbed with a sponge dipped in the beaten yolk of eggs. 

 This preparation is absorbed by the leather and serves to make it 

 elastic. 



The next and last process is colouring. Liquid dyes are used for 

 this purpose, and they are applied to the surface or grain of the leather 

 with a brush. It is said that we have now no native workmen who 

 understand this process thoroughly, and the skilled foreign workmen 

 employed in the factories are by no means willing to impart their know- 

 ledge. Thus far they have succeeded in maintaining the secret of the 

 rare dyes, and the methods that give both brilliancy and permanency 

 of colour to the better styles of glove leather. Even the employers are 

 not permitted to gain this knowledge. 



Having the matter so entirely in their own hands, these men have 

 been able hitherto to sustain this attempt at secrecy. But the constant 

 introduction of working men from Europe, and the preparations which 

 the manufacturers are now making, some of which are already com. 



