The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-04-08
Nett1o Cloth Manufactures.

In the Philadelphia Prcss of Dec 18th, an inter-
view is reported with Mr.. Felix Fremery, well
known Pr1ssian savaut and inventor who has had
much experience with, and possesses much know
ledge Of the modes OF manufacture OF tine so called
''netle-cloth" from hbrous substances. in the
interview referred TO, Mr.. Frgmery is made to say
Il am native OF Aix-Ia-Chapeile," and have
devoted my life principally TO the study OF botany
/ AN not unknown in America. since took prize
at the Centennial Exhibition for OIL 10 Intricate
vegetable woods in course OF preparation Tor the
spinning process.
"You know the seersucker cloth so popular for
summer wear il your country. How light aud
stroag 1t is and what q pretty material too, You
know suppose, that it is made from the fibre of
the Chinese nettlc. The process Is a very peculinr
one. The Chinese until lsjl alone possessed the
secret Of freeing the ilbres Of the plant from tue
resinous gum holding them together, These hores
then, not spun, but cut into long narrow strips,
and glued together at the ends with species OF
glue unknown to Us. ltsis in all probability an
animal glue, mixed with a certain per cent. Of hard
white wax. This process preserves the peculiar
gloss of the fibre which causes some people TO mis-.
take it for silk If the cloth vete spun 1t would
lose its lustre.
"In Rhode Island. seersucker cloth is initiated
in cotton. There IS no doubt that 1t could be
manufactured here in large quantities out OF the
fibre Of the American nettle. The rami or rhea oil
China and inSa grows all through the Southern
States and portions Of California The material
i known IT. England As China grass
"a GENTLEMAN sent me from Altoona. Pa, few
wears ago some cuttings OF the Amerlc IN VIII net
tie. Urfic1 p3.ifiHfg is its Latin name II grows
in great Attendance all through the Allegheny
Mountains. / experimented with 1t, and became
convinced that here wasa cheap and common sub
stitute for Ak. ! have "a nursery garden Of these
cuttings Eox at AiE-ia-Chapels. IN the course OF
my experiments noticed that the thread produced
from the fibre similar to that Of fax but CLOS
sier and more like SILK in appearance. 1t can b:
producsd y,ry chsaply, the plant being perennial
oue-that 10 say Irdoes not have to be replantet
I every year. Ihese cuttings came to me ten o.
I twelve years ago. found that the fibre Of th'
/ American nettle is fnsr and stronger than thai
5 OF European gr1BtL-- rficT di0icr.
AT this moment thsFs are ten or twelve man
ufactories In Germany shere the fabric Is prepar
ed to be made into c.o;hing, handkerchiefs, stock
! ings, shirts, towelliag lace curtains, and MANI
hundred species of textile articias. 1t completes
with WOOL on account Of its greater strength
and cEeapuess.
"Mr. FremeTy, / thought Professor Yaeger, o
Stuitgardt, recommended wOollen clothes ans
even sheets as being more conducive 70 heaitl
! than any other mateualf
80 they are - they are de is right. Ba
With the great mass % hupiauIty economy Is th
FIST consideration. Wool Is too dear. The fbr
Of neitla cos: but . third oi the average price Q
vo9l, and its strength admits Of its being NIKE
with wool in equal proportions IN the ordiIlar
process OF manufacturing. The material thu