SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
319 
TAlNNINti I.EATHEW — THE QUICK PROCESS 
.At a recent meeting of the New York Mechanics’ In- 
stitute, the subject of Tanning was called up for discus- 
sion by the chairman, (Professor Mapes,) after which he 
announced a new and centrifugal apparatus by which he 
had been enabled to force the tannic acid through every 
part of the raw hide by means of centrifugal force, exhib- 
ited in a rapidly revolving perforated cylinder resembling 
the sugar machines. 
By the prevailing modes it requires about seventy days 
to tan completely the average of raw hides, while by the 
improved process, Professor Mapes said that he had suc- 
ceeded in tanning a calf skin thoroughly in less than fif- 
teen minutes. The process he used was to place the 
hide around inside of the cylinder, holding it there by 
means of the centrifugal force, resulting from a very high 
velocity, and then passing a stream of tan liquor into the 
centre, which was then carried by the centrifugal force 
against the hide, and passed through under the intense 
pressure, after which it escaped through the perforated 
cylinder into a surrounding vat, and was returned to per- 
form the same journey over again until the tannic acid 
was exhausted. 
It was stated that the process of tanning was almost in- 
stantaneous when the minutest particles of alum, gelatine 
and fibrin, were brought in contact with the tannic liquor. 
Mr. Schultz stated that he had experimented with the 
hydrostatic column in the tanning of calf skins, and 
found that the process produced the most positive results 
— the raw hide being thoroughly tanned in about fifteen 
minutes— the height of the column being about twenty-five 
feet. 
Mr. Schultz also stated that the work of decomposition 
usually commenced in the raw hide immediately after 
being sweated and placed in the tan liquor, and that often 
in the months of July and August this process went on 
60 vapidly that the entire interior of the hides would be- 
come a putrid pulp mass, like scab or pus, which could 
be readily removed by cutting through the thin tanned 
surface thus making a sack of the hide and destroying its 
commercial value. The new process would reduce the 
entire lime required in working hides from seventy to 
about fifteen days, with the positive certainty that the 
process of decomposition would be checked before any 
serious injury could accrue. 
The conversation was frequently interrupted by ques- 
tions calling for specific information. In an.swer to one 
as to the cause of increase of weight in the tanned leather 
over the raw hide, the one being about double the weight 
of the other in certain instances. Professor Mapes stated 
that it was due to the absorption of the extractive matter 
of the tan bark, and was not due to the action of the tannic 
acid, which was the only tanning agent — the extractive 
matter having no such property. 
Some very interesting facts were given about the pecu- 
liar fo.-ni of the texture of the skins of different animal.s, 
and about the uses of tannic acid in the p ocesses of veg- 
etation. It v/as stated that the flavor of the strawberry | 
existed only in the outer skin of the fruit, and that 
tannic acid was the principal agent necessary to produce 
flavor in all kinds of fruit. 
Egyptian Wheat. — EdiV rs Cid.liva'or~Vd\]] 
SIMPLE FOOD AND DRINK. 
Next in importance to air and exercise, comes the selec- 
tion of diet and drink. And in this matter the practical 
adoption of one common-sense maxim would do almost 
all that needs to be done. The maxim is this; — In cases 
where one of two courses involves danger and risk, and 
another is perfectly safe, always choose the path of safety. 
We have seen that the great mass of this nation is fast 
hastening to disease and deterioration, and that individual 
misery and domestic unhappiness are widely increasing 
as the result. We have seen that owing to needless varie- 
ties, to stimulating food and drinks, and to the use of 
condiments, excess in loading the digestive organs is one 
great cause of this extensive suffering. 
Now there is a rich variety and abundance of simple, 
healthful food and drinks that are fitted for the perfect de- 
velopment and nutrition of the body, and involve litile lia- 
bility to perversion and excess. And when all stimulat- 
ing food, drinks, and condiments are relinquished, and a 
simple diet maintained, a healthful appetite returns, which 
is a safe guide to the proper amount to be taken, provided 
always that enough pure air and exercise are secured 
Moreover, I have found by my own experience and 
have learned from others, that after living for several 
months on simple food, there is an increa.sed susceptibil- 
liiy ot taste and a keener relish for the delicate flavors 
that simple food offers. Does any one remember the delici- 
ous relish of childhood for a bit of good breadl This same 
relish will again return when solicted aright. Let a per 
son for several weeks try tlie experiment of drinking only 
water, eating nothing but bread and butter, potatoes, 
baked fruit and milk, and at tlie same time exercise abun- 
dantly in the fresh air, and if their experience corresponds 
with that of most I have known who have tried the ex- 
periment, they will say, “Never did food of the richest 
variety and composition furnish such an exquisite relish!” 
The more a person will limit a meal to a few articles, 
and these of the simplest kind, the more will they regain 
the appetite and relish of early life. 
Now the course here suggested is perfectly safe, is 
equally productive of enjoyment, and is in obedience to 
the laws of health, which are the laws of God. The con>- 
mon course pursued in this land of abundance and gor- 
mandizing is certainly one of risk and danger to the deli- 
cate and deteriorated constitutions of the adult and ri.sing 
generation. Is not here the place to practice the Christian 
‘daily duty of seff-deniaH’ And if the strong and 
healthy feel no need of it themselves, is there not a duty 
set forth for them in this inspired command, “We that are 
strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and 
not to please ourselves! ” — Calkarinc Beecher’s Letters on 
Health. 
FLEAS : I— FLEAS \ \ I 
Edito.us Southkh.n Cugtiyator — Fleas being very an- 
noying and tioublesome insects, and imving tried various 
means to exterminate them from dogs and ffrm yards, 
without mucii rflcct, I would thank you, or some one of 
your numerous cotre.-^poodents, tf) give a remedy tliat 
will effeciually exterminate them trom dogs end farm 
yards, without injuring the dogs and yards. T liave tried 
spirits of turpentine and lard mixed, without any effect; 
walnut leaves, and, aho, lard and oil of amber, in com- 
you, or some your subscribers, please inform me, through 
your journal, of the proper use of Egyptian Wheat, and 
what kind of soil suits it bes^? 1 have never .^eeti any- 
thing said about it in the Cultivator. Information vvill 
greatly oblige yours, truly, C. W. W. 
Po'itcholoulas Station^ La.., Avgust, IS.37. 
bination, with mueh apparent good But still, l am in- 
clined to iielieve that there is somethinir, if we knew’ what 
it was, that wn)Uld drive them from ofl’ of dogs and out of 
j yard.-s. I hope that you, or some one rd’yeur numerous 
readers, will give us the infurmaiicn so much desired. 
A .Sle.scriiiek. 
Piue Forest Hill, APssissippi, Avgust, 1S.j7. 
