The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1886-08-21
wv Ond ers in w OOdenWare.

ib'Ihdoly low prices OF WOOuenWare at
the present time is q matter of some
surprise even to those who deal in such
goods 1t is within the means of almost
every person now to obtain good pail,
washtub, waShboard or other article of
wood necessary in the household with
parting with large sam of money.
A reporter visited one of the wholesale
stores dealing in woodenware, and as
certainod that II dozen pals, washtubs
or washhoarda could COW be purchased
for what would have been the price of
enc before the war A dozen three-hoop
ed wooden pals, neatly painted inside
land out, was quoted at II IS; while
nest Of washtubs of different sizes, also
hoped, coRld he had for 50 25. Wash
boards, made Of wood only, were spec-
fed in the Dealers price current at so
cents per dozen, while those lined with
HIhe On both sides were quoted at 81 '43
per dozen Cedar wood pals, bound
with brass hoops, elegantly finished,
were offered at 1925 per dozen. These
easily commanded s. each few years
ago. But when it concs to the figures on
ciothesplnS the reduction in prices seem
ed more remarkable Five gross, neatly
packed in a case ready for tlnnsporta-
ton were quoted for 40 cents, or eigh-
teen for one cent, without reckoning
the packing box, and yet every one OF
the clotlIcspins has to be turned and
cut out Of wood without flaw. Wood
nbnttertrays, running from one pound
to five pounds capacity, were offered at
$40 to 50 pr Thousand, according t,
size. These trays were made Of ii il
wood, hand sewed at the joints and
edged with tin. Yet they can be sold
at four for one cent, including packing
for transportation. The prices quoted
for wooden picnic plates were nearly as
low.
The reporter naturally asked how
these articles could bo made so cheap
rs to allow u prJat to both the makers
and dealers, and was informed that ma
cIinery had chcapenrd the cost Of pro-
auction. With regard to butter trays,
shaped 10y cutting off the bark. The
trunk is then put whole into a MACH. e
and cut into vcneers, the thickness Of
the wo ID in the tray. The chief woods
use are those OF the gum tree, white
lcd u, beech aud 50 forth, After the
venoers are found to he fit for use I
there must be no flaws in them-a
S umping machine cuts them into the
right siz1, leaving lapp5ts to fold over
The Iappets are sewn together by hahc
when another machine places on the
tin edges and fastens them. So rapidly
is this done that ono treeis hardly split
into venecrs before the one which pr C
coded is made into trays. A similar pre-
cess is adop4el in the making Of picnic
plates, which are now extensively used,
us they are far less costly than earthen-
ware, not near so Cumbersome to carry
to the picnic grounds, and can be thrown
away without regret if the excursionist!
Ito not care to be bothered with then
on their return home. u
The making of wooden rails is also al
interesting study. Wooden shocks, TIN
exact size Of the pail, are put into
machine, which turns them out at tn
other end complete pail, bound witt
three hoops, better and more event,
fastened than could be done by hand
Another machine paints the pail insid
and out, white being the prevailing
color, while neat oak tint ornament
the outside. Washtubs are made on tn
) same principle, and it is indeed SUI
prising how many can be turned OF
Il during the working hours of da
| But the making Of washboards is eve
t m ore surprising, The largest factor
4 employed in this business is locate
S many miles from this city. Here tt
4 trees are cut down and the timber oftt
j. allowed to lay for two years until it
t properly seasoned. Machinery is us,
4 to prepare the timber and make Il
II