The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-10-06

~ NOfccSicr, MaSS., Iettcl 10 tne
New York star says:
Brush-making is carried on in some
degree in this city, and furnishes an ex-
ample Of the value Of bristles, an arti-
Gle apparently unimportant when seen
upon the back OF its producer, the pig.
The best Of these tbristlcs, not pigs, are
imported from Germany, Russia, and
other parts Of the old country, and com.
mand very high price. l was shown
by manufacturer here ono case con-
tanning $50 pounds, which cost 800 in
gold. These, of course, are used in the
finer class of paint and whitewash
brushes.
An inferior quality of brlstle, grown
in this country principally In the West,
is worked up into busters and cheaper
class of goods. The manufacture of
brush seems simple operation, though
it may have its difficulties to the green
hand. TO describe first the common
long dustnr used 80 much by good
housewives; the wooden portion is
bought ready.ma1e by the manufac-
turcr st cost OF two cents apiece,
cheaper than he could buy the wood
and have them turned, though he puts
the finishing touch 10 them in boring
the small holes on the upper side Of the
broad end TO hold the bristlcs.
The stock is then taken by the work
men, male or female, sitting before a
small tohla npvnroJ with chant ;rn,, 10
make smooth surface, and then fitted
with cemcnt.dish in the centre and
reels of thread at the side, one for each
| person. From large bunch of brstles
in tho left hand the operator takes
small portions, irons one end on the
iron surface, dips the same end into the
hot cement, winds a piece of thread
around tightly, dips again into the Gem
ent, and then forces the little bunch
into one OF the holes, and in this way
in sh ort time fills all the holes and
turns the brush over 10 the cutter.
After trimming they are vanished
dried and are then ready for the mar
ket. Certain kinds of long machin,
brushes are made in the same manner
Other brushes, Of the scrubbiLg.
class, are made by using wire instead o
thread back and forth through the hole
over the middle of wisp of bristles
which is doubled up and forced into tn
holes when the wire is tightened.-
Whitewash brushes Of the best elias
are made from foreign bristlcs CAREFUL
blcached, weighed and combed to g,
, all short pieces out.
The wooden backs, made elsewher
are laid on n bench before the workma
at his right side is cement dish, an
near by the scales. After combing an
} weighing, the upper ends Of the bristl
5 are dipped into the cement, then sprea
| over the lower part Of the wooden baC
D and fastened into place by strip
: leather closely tackled around Wht
g the cement Is hardened by cold Il
J. brush is rs solid mass and will prob
O bly, last as long as the bristles will wca
a The ordinary brushes of this class Al
@ usually made of American bristles, III
"a bleached, after the style of the first d
Ie scribed busters.
ID The first quality paint brushes ma
Of at the mandatory | visited differ fro
s. any other have ever noticed in III
respect, Instead CT being wound
le the handle with twinc tho ends a
is first dipped into the peculiar GENE
b. used there, then placed around the bS
nt Of the stick and an iron ferule pass
le over them, which Keeps them tigh
G. in place. This ferule Is made withC
he e seam by n punching process invent
IN within II few years, aud can bear a gr,
* strain. The price Of brushes, such
e. described above, runs from fracti
Sc Of a dollar up to six dollars, and eN
ly more, according to the kind aud quail
on of the bristles used, l should juC
he from appearances that business is so
and. probably, profitable.