Virginia Advocate

Improvement in Tanning.—Mr. S. Hulbut, of Oswego, in connexion with Messrs. Hunt and Shrove, have discovered a method of tanning hides, which is supposed to be an important improvement upon the process, that has usually been pursued. They have thrown aside the use of lime altogether, and instead, have adopted the method from experiment, of extending them, after a thorough saturation, in a large vat, about two inches apart, and excluding the atmosphere entirely from them. In this situation, the damp air has the same effects upon the hides as lime, without decomposing or weakening its texture. They are taken from here and placed immediately in bark. It is stated that the leather thus tanned, is much stronger, and presents a more fine and even surface, than that manufactured in the ordinary way.—Rochester Courier.