The leather is now frequently coloured on the grain with a mixture, for which each tanner has a recipe of his own, but usually consisting mainly of yellow ochre with size or liquor and oil in order to give a gloss, and to hide uneven or dull colour, and, when sufficiently dry, is well brushed by hand or power, rolled a second time, and dried-off in a room gently heated by steam. This is the Bristol method of finishing. In the Lancashire district, butts are generally struck out much wetter, and "stoned," so as to remove the whole of the bloom, and show the natural brown "bottom" of the grain. When sufficiently dry, they are struck a second time, to set the grain, and rolled as described, the painting being omitted. This method has the disadvantage of requiring more labour, and causing a loss of weight; but leather so got up brings a higher price, as the finish is only applicable to such tannages as make a fair colour. The usual London plan is a compromise between the Bristol and Lancashire methods; the leather is sammed, or tempered by partial drying and piling before striking; stoning is not resorted to, but the bloom is thoroughly removed from the surface with the pin and scrubbing-brush. Colour is not generally used. It is very important, and especially so with heavy mixed tannages, that the drying should be conducted in the dark, and not too rapidly. No artificial heat should be used, except in frosty weather, to wet leather; and it should be carefully protected from harsh drying winds. After the leather is finished, it should be dried off in a well-ventilated drying-shed, heated to about 70° F. (21° C.). The same observations apply to the drying of rough dressing-leather, except that artificial heat should be avoided. Frost makes dressing-leather porous, and prevents it carrying a proper quantity of grease in currying. On the construction of drying-sheds, see pp. 243-54. CHAPTER XII. DRESSING LEATHER. Hides which are intended for purposes where softness and flexibility are required, as for instance, for the upper-leathers of boots, and for saddlery purposes, are called "dressing" or "common" hides, or, if they are shaved down to reduce their thickness before tanning, they are denominated "shaved" hides. Hides for this purpose are limed much in the same way as has been described for butts; but if they are required very soft and flexible, a somewhat longer liming is permissible. After unhairing, fleshing, and washing in water, they are usually transferred to a "bate," composed of pigeon- or hen-dung, in the proportion of about 1 peck to 25-30 hides.