Tanning was a relatively important craft in Canada under the French regime. For want of an illustration showing colonial tanners at work, we have used this engraving from the Grande EncyclopÄdie of Diderot, published in France in the eighteenth century. The men are rinsing the pelts in river water after they have been "passed" that is, piled in vats containing limewater or some other substance capable of removing hair and softening the leather. In addition to scraping with a knife and washing, the pelts underwent further treatment if a fine finish was desired. The Canadian tanneries produced cow and calf hides as well as seal, porpoise, deer. moose and caribou skins. Some of this leather was exported and the rest was made into a variety of articles such as reins, shoes and soles, carrying bags and clothing. MontrÄal had two or three tanneries, as well as a great number of shoemakers. Nearly one-quarter of the city's apprenticeship contracts were for the leather trades.
