72 CHARLES MOORE. 



cent, of tannin ; but in none of the analyses has any substance 

 been found that would prove injurious to leather. 



Some go so far as to think that this Rum ex will supersede 

 the use of Valonia and Gambier. It is however quite possible 

 in this country the tanning properties of this " dock " may not 

 be so great as it is represented they are in other lands. In 

 giving these details I have not drawn on my own imagination, 

 but have simply stated the asserted facts as furnished by the Kew 

 authorities. The names by which this species of Rumex is gener- 

 ally known are : Gouagra in Mexico, Canaigre in Texas, and 

 Wild Pie plant in Utah and California ; and in these quarters 

 will probably be found the sources from whence supplies of seeds 

 may be most readily procured. I would add that in this country 

 no species of the genus Rumex or " Dock," either indigenous 

 or introduced, possesses any known tanning material. 



Discussion. 



Mr. Moore — I have been inundated with letters since I wrote 

 that letter to the press. In that it was made plain that docks 

 and sorrels were only mentioned as examples of the genus Rumex, 

 but I never intended to convey the idea that all the docks 

 possessed tannic principles. That this plant will I think likely 

 become of some importance is almost certain. Our climate suits 

 it admirably, and it can therefore be easily grown. I would 

 cultivate it in the same way as I would cabbage. I have taken 

 measures to get the seeds, but hope that no one will rely upon me 

 entirely for seeds. Anyone having correspondents in Mexico can 

 obtain them from there. It is a plant of most easy cultivation, 

 and I shall do all I can to get the seeds and give it a fair trial. 

 It is very singular however that no tannic principles should have 

 been found in any of the other species. 



Mr. H. C. L. Anderson — I have been very much interested in 

 the paper, particularly as I received some specimens two weeks 

 ago from Victoria, where it has been grown for the last three 

 years. I am having it analysed by Dr. Helms, for the purpose 

 of determining the amount of tannic acid in it. We know it 

 averages from 26 to 40 per cent. It may, however, like some 

 docks, become a curse more than a blessing. I hear though, that 

 in Victoria ground becomes worth £10 an acre by the cultivation 

 of this weed. When the analysis is made I will send it to Mr. 

 Moore that he may see whether under the influence of our climate 

 and soil we can compare it to the English and American analyses. 

 Very probably it will become a commercial product of some value. 



Mr. F. B. Kyngdon — Mentioned that the publications of the 

 Department of Agriculture of the United States contained two 



