immersed in dye vats, where the delicate colors are imparted to them.
The same care is not required in obtaining the ordinary range of dark
colors, for these are "brushed" on, the skin being spread upon a glass
slab and the dye being painted on with a brush. After they are dyed
the skins are sometimes somewhat hard, and in some classes have to be
staked again in order to restore their pliability. The finishing
touches to a kid skin are secured by rubbing the grain side over with
a size, which imparts a gloss. The experience of Gloversville
manufacturers with "buck" gloves has enabled them to impart a special
finish to a skin which is very popular under the title of "Mocha."
This is the same as suede finish, which is produced in other countries
by shaving off the grain side of the skin at an early stage of its
progress. The Gloversville method is much better, however, and has
more perfect results. Here the grain is removed, and the velvet finish
secured by buffing the surface on an emery wheel. The surface of the
leather is cut away in minute particles by this process, and the
result is an exceedingly even and velvety texture, superior to that
obtained by other methods. European manufacturers do not approach the
Americans in this respect.

The leathermaker leaves off and the glovemaker begins.

A marble slab lies before the cutter on a table, and every particle of
dirt or other inequality is removed before "doling." The skin is
spread, flesh side up, upon the slab, and the cutter goes over it with
a broad bladed chisel or knife, shaving down inequalities and removing
all the porous portions. The dexterity with which this is done makes
the operation appear extremely simple, but any but a skilled and
experienced operative would almost surely cut through the skin. The
most delicate part of the glovemaker's art, in which exact judgment is