, 1885-12-20

MIMI tA HtFA " ~
f-rens ~-ticks-Cheap limitations.
There are many kinds of wood from
which canes are made. and much Of II j.
imported. China furnishes a large guam
titN. tho fayorites begin the whanghae.
penang. light and black bamboo. and
jlmboree. The whanghne Is celebrated
for It's regular joints, in the shape Of bulg-
ing rings. They begin close To the hand
and grow smaller and closer together to
the end. II ~la in large demand "a year
z hut Is raraiy called for now. MAlaccn
comes from Sumatra principally, though
some Is brought from China. IL Is a climb
ing palm tree, and comes both in high.
and lark colors. In the genuine sticl
holes run through II, and smoke can be
drawn through the body of the wood.
Rattan canes are made from the scraps Of
malacca, and are exceedingly cheap.
These make what are termed warm
weather. canes. In the genuine full-sized
malncca there il a slight ridge upon one
side, running its entire length n maj
ing It uneven to the touch. Where the
joints arc not far enough apart to make a
cano OF proper length they are made
smaller and smooth so that the joint and
ridge can not DO seen or felt.
THE FINER HARDwooDs.
Tho winter sticks are more expensive,
and nro made of hard and J 'avy material.
Thoy Gro usually quite thick, but are
mado in overy size. English ash Is much
thought Of, while some have a fancy for
hazel, black orange, and Balkan rose.
Canes from these materials usually have
natural handles, either in the shape OF
crooks or knobs. Among the finer
hnrdwoods are the ebony, rose
wood, and snakewood, About Christmas
Is tho only time that these are in demand,
to be given as presents. The palmetto is
tho most beautiful of all the woods In APP
pearance and finish. Though heavy, IL Is
not solid. A small, hair-like fiber will be
frequently found coming through the
hard polish. and when pulled will run the
whole length OF the stick, gradually grow
ING larger and defacing It.
Tho genuine beefwood. having the color
of rev beef, Is much sought after, and In
consequence OF the demand many imita-
tion1 gro made. There Is n Norwegian
vino hat Ia made up without polish that
IL going to have n large sale his fall and
winter. Tho orange stick, distinguished
by its beautiful green bark, II the
lemon, with its prominent and regular
knots and perfect proportions, are always
in demand, and can always be carried
without being out Of style. The cactus Is
rarely made up, and when the pith is re-
moved leaves the body OF the stick full OF
irregular holes. The weichsel, or scented
wood, is imported from Germany, where
1t Is largely used in making pipe stems.
II Is comparatively new TO the trade. and
promises to be a success.
Nearly every kind Of expensive wood is
initiated. The material used IS dogwood,
maple, and American ash. The knots
,n1 rfno- ant offhor Inv hand nv mn
cLinery, and can be detected by any one
because of their regularity, being more
perfect than the genuine wood. The
cheap limitations that are put upon the
market greatly damage the cane trade in
this country. In Europe there are CON
nois9ours in canes who go about to the
GiEoront shops picking out odd and per-
feet sticks. In this land the only element
considered Is the price. II that suits, ii
matters little what the cant Is. The rage
In sticks, now that the silver top is falling
in popular estimation, Is the buckhorn
handle on n heavy wood. This will have
IN extensive run.
II PRINCIPAL JAMES GIVEN.
Tho principal names given to canes in
trade are the elk-head, crutch-hook,
curved-hook, shepherd-hook opera-this
"a applied to any straight handle-Mascot,
half-crowned buck, onion and Philadel-
phla. They are all popular at present.
Tho ivory, walrus and celluloid handles
Gro oil out of date. The ferrules OF canes
arc made Of iron points with German sill
vcr bodies and buffalo horns. Cowhorn
- used ms IN imitation of the buffalo, hut
Il splits too easily. A splendid cane of
English ash with a boar's-tooth top, may
become IN attraction. There Is a cane
specially imported from Germany for the
man trade. 1t is known as the 'East-side
stick. The handle Is Of bone, carved fan
t~astically, and 1t Is sold cheap. What is
not disposed OF here is readily grabbed up
by western buyers for German settlers.
1t 10 not an easy task to turn out the
beautiful polished stick that Is sold to the
public. a cane-maker Is more than a
whittier OF knots and joints. He must be
Ertlot to bring out the finish of n stick.
Tho imported wood Is usually square in
shape and a little longer thar the proper
length. II is put into u lathe and turned
round and tapered. The wood is burned
with acid to bring out strong contrasts,
and sa~nd-papered 10 blend the shades of
color. The fine art is in the polish, which
u brought out by an imported liquid from
Trance. The kinks and bends in a stick
Gro taken out by tying 1t, after IL has
been warmed in q sand or steam bath, to
q straight board. Crooks are made 10
straight sticks by placing them in n wise
and directing fame from a gas-pipe al
tho poiut where It Is to be bent. This Is q
delicate operation, md Is done slowly
New York Tribune.