, 1862-07-24

FELr CLoTH AND SHoDDY CLoTH--We
notice a paragraph, occasionally, in some
of our exchanges, alluding to the cheating
practiced upon the government in furnishing
shOddy, "felt" or cotton goods for the use
Of the army and navy. The writers evi.
IDENTIFY mean well in these statements, but
they confound things totally different. Cloths
made of shoddy Ii. e.: Of old wooden rags
picked in pieces, and spun with a little
straight wool to keep it tOgether) are unfit
for any useful purpose, and are always q
cheat and a swindle. GOOds purpOrting
to be Of wool, but partly mixed with cOttnn
may he very durable and by no means
worthless; but where warmth and comfort
in wearing are considered, will not answer
the same purpose as all.wOOl goods. and are
thus fraudulently substituted for woOlen
fabrics. We saw s0me soldiers overcoats
made by the Union Manufacturing company,
at Newark, about thr beginning Of the war,
which were far better specimens OF q gar
ment suited to such necessities than any other
exhibited. And we have seen some Of them
which have been long in wear, and have been
highly approved both for comf1rt and dura-
bility. Felt and shoddy, therefore, should
not be mentioned in the same breath, as
the felt cloth is thoroughly genuine article
and no sham about il. Long life TO felt;
but down with shoddy!"
The felt gOOds here spoken Of are made
upon the principle Of spinning and weaving
by crossing the wool IN thin layers ct right
angles, thus giving the fabric equal strength
eaGh way.
MULBERRT TREEs.-In Japan the mul-
berry is cultivated in great abundance, both
for the purpose Of rearing silk worms, and
the manufacture of paper. This last article
Is used in the greatest quantity, and made
available for innumerahle purposes. |: is
made from the inner bark Of the tree, and
is Of every degree Of thickness and fineness,
from stout, strong article. down 10 q deli
cate silk-like texture. Much Of the finer
kind is beautifully stamped with figures, and
portions With colored designs, like our mus
lins. The cOarser sort serves for pocket
handke chiefs, and the finer is pasted upon
frames to make light-shades. It enters into
the structure Of every hOuse. It is fixed to
large, sa<h like frames, which extend from
the ceiling to the hOor. These are placed
in grooves, along which they slide upon little
china-ware wheels. 10 many houses they
form must Of the partitions, and by remOv.
ing thein or replacing lletn, the apartments
may be enlarged or diminished at pleasure.
When used for the outside walls, they an-
swer for windows, and the paper is protected
from rain BY the roofs projecting in the form
Of portico. ltalso answers the purpose Of
stiings. A piece OF the thicker sort is cut
into narrow slips, AMI roll,d once or twice
between the hands, making stout and strong
cord.
MUTroH AZ AN ARTIcLE oY FooD.--The
American AgrieHlfurist says, We mean to
repeat thousand liaes, or at least iiIl what
We say shall have some effect upon our
counlrymen, that p5and Of lean juicy NUT
ton can be prnduced for half the Gust of the
same quantity Of pork; that il is infinitely
healthier fbod, especially in the summer sea
son, and those " % eat IL become more mus
cular and can do more work with greater
ease 70 themselves, than those who eat fat
pork. w havenothing more delicious than
spnked mutton hams, of the South-down
breed Of shoep. VenlSOn itself is not So
perior