Am.  Jour.  Pbarru. 
May,  1902. 
Chamois  Skins. 
227 
After  sufficient  milling  the  skins  are  partly  dried  and  the  process 
of  sprinkling,  milling  and  drying  is  repeated  again  and  again  until 
they  are  full  of  oil,  and  all  the  moisture  is  dried  out. 
They  are  now  allowed  to  hang  sufficiently  long  to  thoroughly 
tan  them  at  a  temperature  of  about  100°. 
The  process  after  this  is  very  simple.  The  oil  is  removed  by 
pressure  and  the  balance  washed  out  by  saponification  ;  after  this 
they  are  dried  and  they  are  then  ready  for  finishing. 
The  oil,  by  the  way,  is  recovered,  by  decomposing  the  soap  solu- 
tion with  an  acid  and  separating. 
It  is  sold  to  manufacturers  of  other  leather,  it  being  useful  to 
make  them  pliable,  etc. 
The  finishing  is  done  mostly  by  pressing  the  skin  against  revolv- 
ing wheels,  covered  with  emery  or  flint  to  remove  all  adhering  sub- 
stances and  to  present  a  finely  finished  surface. 
We  now  have  the  finished  chamois  leather  ready  for  the  trim- 
ming and  sorting  room,  where  it  is  cut  into  suitable  sizes  and 
packed  for  the  market. 
Of  late  years  a  trimmed  skin,  that  is,  skins  of  even  sizes,  are  pre- 
ferred by  the  trade.  For  this  reason  most  manufacturers,  at  least 
most  American  manufacturers,  cut  their  skins  over  patterns  so  as 
to  produce  uniform  sizes. 
In  former  years,  when  England  and  France  supplied  the  United 
States  market,  the  skins  in  the  same  package  would  vary  in  size 
and  shape,  thus  lacking  uniformity. 
It  is  true  by  cutting  uniform  sizes  there  is  necessarily  some  waste, 
but  this  is  reduced  to  a  minimum,  when  all  small  pieces  are  again 
utilized,  by  manufacturing  them  into  watch  pockets  and  other  small 
articles  which  find  a  ready  sale. 
The  principal  uses  for  chamois  skins  are  for  cleaning  purposes. 
They  will  absorb  moisture  readily  and  give  a  high  polish  to  glass, 
furniture  and  other  highly  polished  surfaces. 
A  good  chamois  can  be  used  either  wet  or  dry.  Quantities  are 
also  used  for  chest  protectors,  chamois  vests,  and  even  underclothes 
are  made  out  of  them  for  cold  climates,  also  in  the  manufacture  of 
other  leather  goods,  such  as  purses,  etc.  Ladies  use  them  for 
fancy  work. 
They  can  be  made  in  all  colors ;  formerly  colors  were  mostly 
produced  by  applying  to  the  surface  of  the  skin  different  colored 
