We will first consider the physiological tannins.
_Oak Bark._--This material was, is, and will be for some time to come
the main tanning material in use here in Europe. The advantages of the
oak tannage are as fully appreciated here as in the United States. The
European oak gives a light colored, firm leather, with good weight
results, is comparatively cheap and of an excellent quality. The
varieties are numerous, each country having its own kind. Those in
most general use are:
_Spiegel Rinde_ (mirror bark).--This bark is well distributed
throughout Europe, and is peeled when the tree has attained a growth
of from 12 to 24 years. It is marketed in three grades.
_Reitel Rinde_--Is obtained from the same tree as the spiegel rinde,
but after the tree has attained a growth of from 25 to 40 years.
_Alte Pische_ (old oak).--Obtained from the aged tree. It is not as
valuable as the younger bark, and consequently brings a much lower
price.
Spiegel rinde may be judged by small warts which appear on the shining
surface of the bark. The presence of a great number of these, as a
rule, indicates a high tannin percentage.
Bosnia has fine oak trees, the bark containing 10 to 11 per cent.
tannin.
Bohemia has the _trauben eiche_ (grape oak).
France uses the kirmess oak, which grows in the south of that country
and in northern Africa.
Pages:
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149