Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-02-16
.uk mauufactures.

Some attention has been given to the
manufacture Of articles of silk texture for
many years, and though the results have
been small compared with our real ability,
yet enough has been done to secure its
permanence.
OF woven fabrics in silk, there are now
made in this country dress silks, vestings,
foulards, pongees, handkerchief goods,
gauzes, Innings, and oil silks, ribbons,
carriage trimmings, belts, cravats, military
sashes, galloons, and mixtures-such as
upholstering goods, comprising brocatelles,
cotalines, and reps, poplins, and bareges,
and silk flannels and cassimeres. A COM
pany, with capital of $l50,OoO, is about
to begin in New Jersey the manufacture
Of velvets matters plush, and avariety OF
similar goods, while others are introduce
ing machinery and preparing to manufac-
ture as soon as greater stability of financial
affairs shall be assured. s73#fts..
In 1860 the annual production of man.
ufactured silk in this country was esti-
mated at 1900, 600, and during the four
years that have elapsed since the last CEN
sus was taken, it has increased very
greatly. Those best informed in regard
to trade estimate the present product at
about IS, 000, 900. Ia 5z.rsE-T
In 1860 the census returns show the
number of manufacturers of silk 10 have
been four hundred and fifteen, while,
strangely enough, the operatives in silk is
put down as only twenty-four. 1t is pro-
bable, however, that the workers in the
silk-mills are classed as +" spinners,"
weavers," etc., while the larger number
of them, being females, are not assigned
to any trade. acknowledgements. I...~ f,n t..i
OF the four hundred and fifteen silk
manufactures in 1860, Connecticut had
the largest number, one hundred and forty
four; and California the smallest three;
while New Jersey had one hundred and
thirteen, New York eighty, Pennsylvania
twenty EIGHT, Massachusetts, thirty-six,
New Hampshire seven, and Kentucky
four. During the last four years Cali
fornia has entered quite largely into the
business. This State has facilities for silk
culture and manufacture not enjoyed by
any other. Her soil is fitted for the cul-
ture Of the mulberry, and her climate to
the rearing of the silkworm. Besides
which, there are among her population
thousands of Chinese who are skilled
workers i'll silk, whose labor can be OBJ
tanned for as small sum as from three to
FIVE cents per day. If necessary, Cali
fornia might produce silk fabrics for the
worlds supply, and the trade prove as
productive as her mines. .f.....
With the silk of the BOmbyr mort in
California and the Pacific States, and that
of the Bombyz cynthia in the Atlantic
States, our country might well lead the
world in the manufacture of this article,
and eclipse all the glories of the cotton
product.
In the weaving of satin and figured
goods the Jacquard loom-a very beauti-
full but rather intricate invention-ls used.
The loom was invented by Joseph NJ.
jacquard, of Lyons, France, in 1906, and
has met with universal acceptance in all
parts of the world to the present time.
Of narrow goods, such as ribbons, gal
looms, cravats, belts, etc., from eight to
twelve pieces are woven at the same time
in each loom. Of wide goods, such as
dress silks, pongees or handkerchiefs, usu-
ally not more than one piece is woven !;
but the looms are often made wide enough
| for two or more.
For producing a good quality of rib
bons the best tram and organZine are re-
auired. italian raw silks, being fine and
even, is used in considerable quantities for
making organzine for ribbons. But Chi
ma and Japan silks are mostly used. as
the Italian costs more than twice as much.
Poplins, gauze, pongees, and foulards
differ slightly in their mixture, some hav
ing more silk than others.
Two new machines for weaving chen
lilies have recently come into use, one of
which makes two pieces al, a time.
Silk hosiery is made in this country to
some extent. But the spun silk used in
these manufactures is mostly imported, as
but little of that article is made here.
This must be so for awhile, as the manu-
facture of silk in this country is yet in its
infancy but it has been commenced under
favorable auspices, -..E .sr~aa. 4. 81
| Silk goods are an article of luxury to
which the American people have become
so accustomed that they will not readily
relinquish it. The demand is sure to be
large, and native products, as soon as they
can compete with foreign, will receive the
same patronage that our sewing-silks, the
best in the world, already command. In
1860 nearly $4,000, 900 worth Of heavy
| silks were imported for the Southern trade
alone. Even during this war, the demand
has been very large. In 1868, 100000
worth of silks were imported more than in
1862. .a ... -
Silk operatives come mostly from Eu-
rope. The American Emigration Co.,
has agents in the seats Of silk manufacture
to select and forward them to this country.
They receive high wages as class, the
men earning from twenty to twenty-four
dollars, and the women from four to ten
dollars per week on an average. Very
many women are employed. In one
trimming factory in New York, out of 300
employees, about fifty only are men. The
factory pays six thousand dollars per
month in wages. Another factory en-
ploys women in nearly all departments.
They tend the looms and do most of the
spinning, winding and Wrapping. Out of
fifteen hundred hands, more than two.
thirds are women. The work is easy and
clean, and every way adapted to the
strength and tastes Of women.-BOston
Cam. Bulletin. Ht E. Gna'
The nitrate Wardell. who commands the