I think it may now be said, at any rate, that the solution of the problem of constructing an artificial bate on scientific principles, which will replace the present crude methods, is well within sight. The principal obstacles are, on the one hand, the inertia of English manufacturers; on the other hand, the class of labour employed in puering is not of the highest order of intelligence. Innovations in most things are resisted, partly because they necessitate changes in the method of working, and partly because of the innate conservatism of human nature. It is certainly a significant fact that although most of the pioneer work on this subject was done in England, the practical side has been taken up in Germany, and by freely spending money on large trials in the works they have enabled the manufacture of artificial bates to be developed on a commercial scale. In 1886, while studying Chemistry under Professor Frank Clowes, I began to examine microscopically the various liquors of a light leather factory, and more especially the bran drenches. At that time I knew nothing of bacteriology, for the simple reason that little but pathological work in this line was being done in England. Through the kindness of Professor Clowes, I obtained an introduction to Mr. Adrian Brown (now professor at the University of Birmingham), and in his laboratory at Burton-on-Trent I saw the first pure cultivations of _Bacterium Aceti_ which he had isolated, and of which he had completely studied the chemical action.[2] I had there an opportunity of seeing the methods and apparatus employed. I also had the benefit of Mr. Brown’s advice in commencing a systematic study of the process of drenching. Professor Percy Frankland, then at Dundee, advised me further as to the microscope and other matters. My warmest thanks are due to these friends for directing me in the right way. [2] Jour. Chem. Soc., Mar. 1886. As a result of my first investigations, on December 11, 1889, I read a short paper entitled “Methods of Bacteriological Research--with some account of Bran Fermentation,” before the Society of Chemical Industry. The way in which this paper was received led to a further research into the nature of bran fermentation in conjunction with Mr. W. H. Willcox, B.Sc. (now Senior Analyst to the Home Office), by which the action of the bran drench was thoroughly investigated, and the results published in the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, May 31, 1893. This was followed, on June 30, 1897, by a paper “On a Pure Cultivation of a Bacillus Fermenting Bran Infusions,” also in conjunction with Dr. Willcox. In 1898, in reply to a publication of Director Eitner, of Vienna, I published in the Leather Trades’ Review (November 15), a résumé of the whole subject, entitled “The Rationale of Drenching.”