The  dressing  of  skins  consists  in  a  number  of  operations,
comprising  chiefly  :  removing  flesh,  greasing,  crushing
and  suppling,  sizing,  glossing,  &c.  Certain  skins  are  also
whitened  or  dyed.
Dressed  skins  or  furs  are  also  assorted,  classed,  sewn,
and  treated  as  cloths,  to  serve  either  for  the  trimming  of
clothes,  or  the  making  of  muffs,  collarettes,  &c.
372
Hare  and  Rabbit-Skliis.
In  the  two  provinces  of  Flanders,  there  is  a  very
important  industry  which  consists  in  the  dressing  and
dyeing  of  hare  and  rabbit-skins.  Some  years  ago  these
skins  used  to  be  dyed  black  or  brown,  and  sewed  princi-
pally for  making  turbans  and  caps,  as  well  as  for  the  trim-
ming of  cheap  clothing.  At  the  present  time,  a  very
important  factory,  gives  to  these  goods  the  appearance
and  style  of  real  furs  (beaver,  otter,  blue  fox,  &c.).  These
imitation  furs  are  in  great  demand  owing  to  their  very  low
price.
Great  quantities  of  dyed  and  dressed  hare  and  rabbit-
skins  are  exported.
Statistics.  The  dressing  and  making  up  of  skins  gives
employment  to  about  700  persons  in  Belgium.  The  dres-
sing p.nd  dyeing  of  hare  and  rabbit-skins  employs  a  rather
larger  staff  of  workmen,  from  760  to  800.
SHOE-MAKING.
According  to  the  indastrial  census  of  1896,  this  indas-
try  occapied  about  40,000  hands.  The  same  year  there
were  only  16  factories  manufacturing  mechanically.
