The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-02
1AsxErx
MaAs Cheaper ssA Better by the Ala Or M.
chiasry and wssA.

chinery and Wood.
"There has been very great change In
the basket business In the past few years." m
old merchant said. Formerly basket and
woodenware storos were generally combined
now there are plenty OF firms in the basket
business only. In the old times tho chief man
ufacturers wore to be found In what we used to
call Dutch Town. In Williamsburgb. They
would bring over few nests at time and scll
them to the denlers. Now there are many man
ufacturers who have extended tho business
until domestic products are seriously Compel
ing with imported articles. Even for the bas-
ksts made In this country large ouantitlos Of
willow were imported. The FIRST important in
crease OF the basket industry In this country
grew out OF the extensive planting Of willows
by Col. Colt at Hartford. Conn. These willows
wero planted chiefly to supply roots to hold to-
gother the big dykes built BY Col. Colt for the
reclamation Of marsh lands. but the willows
thrived so we'll that the, branches became q
aSs bsH q tho weW
staining tho wood WINS not well known here. tho
earlier American products were in the form, Of
industry grew up. al most by accident.
Since that time there have been many signal
changes In the business. chief among which
arc tho introduction OF machinery and tho use
Of split woods. chiefly OF oak and elm. from
which the largest, cheapest, and strongest
ment ip Northampton. Mass. probably the
largest in the world. where they turn out about
varieties. and employing 400 hands. Most Of
these arc used for fruit vegetables and berries.
and IRE made 40 clteapiy that Giors can afford
to sell their comnio1 ities almost without taking
the value Of the basket into consideration. In
TIC peach business for Instance sd &c. It was
ness to keep track Of the Bushels. Now. strong
peach baskets holding u bpshel arc made at
about eleven cents each SO that thG buyer nay
The same Is true OF grave baskets. which are
made ny low IA A., cents each and nro prefer.
durable baskets, are also made for carrying
coal; oysters. and other heavy goods.
j., achinery has a! $50 been adapted to the split.
ting al bamboo and rattan Tor the making OF
various baskets. and the result is "a gradual
centrng OF the business in the hands OF large
ucts OF charitable institutions. The old sailors
at Sailors Snug Hartor have for many years
mud" their grrg apd tCe, ,SI mH9ey by the
lately they have found strong mpetition in tho
market Macliin merry and capital are taking pos:
carrying the work out Of homes into tho fautO-
ries. TIE smaller establishments are mainly
confined TO the manufacture Of special and
iRncy products. such ~ ornamental work bas-
kets, and, yarious kinds Of basket work. requir-
tnest and most beautifnl baskets continue to
be mainly imported. The French as usual In
matters where artistic taste Is required. are in
Workmanship in baskets. although we also re-
COVE n Grrnt many baskets from Germany.
French knife baskets. market baskets. ham
pers. and Office baskets are very beautiful.
while IN flower, fruit. and travelling baskets l
think they are unapproachable.
some pretty as well rs durable baskets ARE
made Of straw, palmleaf. hcmp. and manila.
In short. it would take n, very large house, to
In tho market There arc a number Of basket
factories in New York city employing from ten
to twenty hands each. and tho industry is
growing 70 that the workmen have formed q
wages. Probably the most expensive has kets
made are the huge hampers that are used for
picnic parties costing at retail IA high ~
twenty to thirty dollars. There have been Il
chiefly rotating to modes of strengthening.
Fine willow baskets arc very durable II kept
moist. IL they are allowed to get dry they ara
linhie to crack, good housewife will keep
hsr baskets we'll scrubbed The, most inter
esting baskets are those wonderful productions
which young mothers have to hold their first
baby clothes There Is no end to the trimming
and ornam.ntng OF these baskets. and they
make very nice. prnsents but. as a matter OF
than the basket. The basket work on fine bah y
baby ratties and ladies sntchels often borders;
on the fine arts; To tho true, philosopher a
snns bfset icy
are cheaper and better. You can now buy a
basket for 30 cents rs good as one that formerly
cost so or -. As in all other industries. the
put good deal Of brains In the basket bust
ness. and there Is yet room for greater enter
prise and Improvement ought not to omit
10 notice the possible use OF baskets for bal
looms. and have no doubt that when aerial
the basket will bs found to DO not the least i'm
portant OF its characteristics"