Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-07-28

In consideration Of the high price at which
all varieties of textile fabrics are now held, II
is important that the materials from which
such fabrics are made should be increased In
quantity. Cotton is almost out Of the market.
Until the war is ended, and the questions at
Issue decided positively, we cannot count upon
another crop with any certainty Whatever.
Flax is beginning to come into the market to
some extent, and factories TO spin and other
wise work II up into wearing apparel are
sprlnging up in various parts Of the land. The
machinery required for this branch Of industry
Is in great demand, and we hope ere long TO
see some substantial evidence of energy and
enterprise In the shape Of cheap, durable, and
elegant linens.
There is always a demand, however, for
coarse, heavy, and strong bagging or crash.
| This has hitherto been supplied from the over
| flowing abundance of the cotton crop, but that
being cut of and foreign materials being also
high, II Is necessary to look about for some
addition to the list Of fbres from which heavy
sacking can be made. Such a fibre has been
discovered in the husk Of the maize plant, or
Indian corn which 10 grown In such abundance
In this country. The husk which envelopes
the car Is now used TO grea. extent In Austria
| for making paper. Immense quantities are
made and the quality Is said by competent
judges to be equal TO the best rag-paper ever
manufactured. II Is In the process Of obtain
ing the paper stock from the corn-husk that
the fibre is set free. Neither are injured, but
are separate and distinct products Of the won
derful plant.
The fabric which is woven from this fibre
is immensely strong. Cordage is made from
| 1t, and bears some resemblance In color TO the
cocoa-Hbre. Although far inferior to 1t in
strength, 1t is much superior In point Of soft
| ness and elasticity. Some samples Of cloth we
have seen woven from this hbre would make
excellent towellng or crash" for covering
carpeting. II is also valuable for making en-.
amoled cloth, or oil-cloth, and II takes any
coating applied to 1t readily and retains II
firmly. Specimens of enameled cloth made on
this fabric as base are equal to the best Eng
| lish cloths.
The very general interest which attaches to
the discovery Of new material which can be
used In the arts should lead manufacturers Ia
look into this subject. It Is In this state an
Austrian discovery, and is valuable one
Thousands of yards of cloth made from this
fibre alone, ESQ we are assured on the authority
of the Austrian Consul, Charles F. Loosely
Esq, Of this city, have been shown us by the
gentleman named. Samples can be seen al
this office.
1t will be seen that In addition TO the paper
stock, the husk Of the Indian corn is capable
of producing a marketable fibre, and still re-
tain It's value as cattle fodder, for in these
processes the life-sustaining element is moi
lost but obtained in all Its purity. The methods
of weaving and Of freeing the fibre from III
vegetable envelope are not completed, nor II
the expense great, aud we are confident that
good results will follow an immediate inVesti
CATION Of this ubject.-Scientifc AneriedH.