The New Hampshire Gazette

TANNING.

French new method of Tanning, invented by citizen Seguin.

The new method of tanning is founded on an accurate knowledge of the materials which tan them. It consists in letting the skins lie several days in a solution of bark, deprived of its tan, and slightly acidulated with sulphurous acid. That substance, which causes the hair to adhere to the skin, is thus burnt up, and the hair therefore comes off easily: the skins, softened and swollen in this preparation, are then taken out, and afterwards suspended in solutions, more or less impregnated with tan. In a few days, and about fifteen days for the strongest skins, this substance penetrates in layers into the centre of the skins, combines itself with the animal substance, and gives it, by saturation, that character, which resists putrefaction, and, at the same time, sufficient solidity to make it fit to make shoes. This method of Seguin's has a triple advantage; first, it is the most expeditious mode of tanning; secondly, less expensive; and lastly, more complete, than any other method, as it gives the highest degree of solidity to leather, which the tan can communicate; and on comparison, hides thus tanned have been found to exceed the dressed skins of any other country whatsoever.

The quickness of this method is such, that by taking the proper precautions, calf-skins may be tanned in two days, and the strongest ox hides in ten or fifteen days. This new method has also the advantage of rendering, in the process, the use of barley wholly unnecessary, of which all tanneries have hitherto consumed a very great quantity. A large capital is also unnecessary; and remote forests may be turned to advantage, by barking and separating from the bark, that matter which is the principle of tan, upon the very spot; thus reducing the necessary part of the bark to a very small weight, and consequently much diminishing the expense of carriage. The simplicity of the whole operation is such, that any private man may tan hides for his own consumption, with more facility, than a common professed tanner.