The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-20
~MANCHEsTER MILDEW."
From the New York Bulletin.l

From the New York Bulletinl
The deterioration OF English cotton gooos
IA inst now attracting considerable attention
in the foreign, and more especially In The
Chinese and Indian markets. II Is found
tbst cotton fabrics, when sent long dis
tspce BY eea, sustained serious Injuries from
damp or mildew, which impaired their value
and sometimes rendered them entirely worth
less. The evil, which is of comparatively re-
cent origin, Increased to degree that at last
compelled public attention. 1t was iouno
that H. not only affected the sale oil cotton
goods In Eastern markets, but even inspired
Glstrust in the general character and quality
of English manufactures. This at last IN
;nred the trade to degree that caueed
serious falling of in Manchester exports 10
the East. -2.
Although the real causes of this deterioration
of cotton goods could not have been much OF
a cret to The trade, yet publicity was not
given to the matter until recently. me Man
chester Chamber OF Commerce, on memo
rial from that of ShaDghae, Instituted in-
ouiries which sufficiently disclosed all the
iacls. Is was ionDd that the ''sizDg," consist
ing of fermented -four and tallow, used 10 I'M
rart tenacIty to the warp and reduce the lric-
lion in the process Of weaving, originally
constituted about twenty per cent.'ol tne
weight OF the warps. Suose quent expert
inects showed that the brownisn color given
10 cc,ion by size made from inferior flour
could be rednced by the addition OF q small
quantity OF China clay 10 the size; aud, further,
tnst the addition 30 far reduced the glulinous
quality of the -four that the sized warps would
Weave easily witha less amount OF talloW ID
the Size. Y
the attainment of the better sorts OF cotton
almost impossible. 1t was found that the
East India short stapled cotton could not be
used without a large addition to the quantity
of .ssize" previously used. AS weight LOT
length gradually became an accepted test LOT
the quality of cotton goods the proportion OF
cheap sizes was increased far beyond the
Quantity required for weaving. To obviate
the mildew Occasloned by contact With
moisture or damp, a great many chem
ical compounds, some OF them poisonous,
were introduced to neutrallze the gluten used
In sizing. But these expedents proved only
partially successful, owing, 1t is supposed,
10 the undue proportions OF eheap slzing NIX, TX
lures used to impart strength and body 10 the
goods. The workmen fr, luently remonslra-
Ted against being compelled to use the dele
terious ingredients, which were alleged to be
Injurious 10 their health. But very little at
teuiion was paid to these complaints. The
cheap sizing was used in increasing .quanli-
ties 10 add to the weight and fiDish Of cotton
cloth. until at last II happened that the goods
could not be packed for long sea voyages
without imbibing moisture from the air,
which impaired and even destroyed their
value.
bv M means pleasant thought, that much of
their spnarent body and durability Is due 10
nnIannnns ailm,Xtures used to impart to an In
ferior Quality OF goods the appearance of
HIGHER priced and superior articles. But they
msv derive satisfaction from the assurance
thai the evil is likely to work lis own cure.
Manufacturers, admonished by the unsalaoilty
OF their goods and the decline Q, e1pUr be n
hest nollcy. They will probably be more care
fui in future not to peril their entire trade on
adulteratiops which are certain to entail q
heavier loss than would have been sustalne9 9
BIZ the use of honest ingredients that Wou!o
no. deceive the public as to the real quality
and value of the finished fabrics.