Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-03-10
OSTRICH HArHERs.



1hsir Adoption for Decorations Can De
away WIN the Bird determination.
PAL Nan Gasstte.l
DR.. Anna Kingsford made q suores-
ton IN the papers the other DAY re-
speeding the use of ostrich feathers in
the shape Of wraps, which, if fashion
could be moved on any Ineligible
principles, would be worth considera.
tion. She pointed out that while seal
skins and other furs are obtained with
great cruelty, and while small bird
plumage is only procured at the cost
OF their lives, ostrich feathers, the
richest and most graceful of ornaments,
are shorn painlessly from the bird
twice year-much az the fleece is
taken from the sheep In consequences
OF the great demand during the twenty
years following 1859, when the French
Court revived the fashion, large sums
OF money were invested in the estab-
lishment of ostrich farms-some of wide
extent-where focks of birds are kept
tame in semi-captivity, and where every
effort is made toward the cultivation Of
plumage. Consequently there arrive
now feathers of the highest quality,
cleanly arranged. we'll preserved. with
soft, velvety "fuff, /" far more delicate
than in years gone by. But, alas fash
ion, which induced this culture, has
proved tickle, and the run for trim
mings has been on ribbons and flowers
The consequence is that increased pro-
duction and absence of demand have
caused prices to fall to an extent quite
unprecedented, so that feathers, which
were worth ESQ to EGO per pound
wholesale about four years ago are now
almost unstable at Ell, while inferior
qualities have correspondingly depre.
cisted. Formerly in London alone
their preparation and manufacture oc-
cupied between 5000 and 5000 girls at
good wages, OF whom not more than
5000 now find employment Until the
influence of the Empress Eugene and
her followers ceased to govern the
modes nearly every bonnet or hat was
trimmed with ostrich, very handsome,
if very costly. To-day 5s or 6s. will
buy in q shop q feather of quality
equal to that for which 35s. to 40s. was
then charged MilliEers are therefore
beginning to adopt them, and for the
first time during many years we see
them figuring in the fashion books, and
they will be largely used for the Boul.
anger hat and the naval hat, which are
now rivalling one another in Paris.
The price has also allowed them to be
used as fans, some most charming eff
fects being produced. Those who have
inspected the Queens jubilee presents
have been particularly struck with the
graceful elegance of the two great
screens-gigantic fans-sent from the
Cape of Good Hope. Trimmings made
of the fluff" removed from the center
quill and worked on cord or wire are
very effective, and can be procured
quite as cheaply as good silk ribbon.
but DR.. Anna Kingsford speaks of
utilizing ostrich feathers for
raps, light, warm. and n.y.
gienic. The magnificent car
riage cloak among the Queens gifts
from the ladies of Heligoland is re-
markable for its great warmth and fairy
lightness. We have been rendered
familiar with these qualities in elder
down quilts, and they peculiarly be-
long to ostrich feathers, some hundreds
of which 90 to the pound. Naturally
the plumage is almost straight though
we have been accustomed to see it arti-
ficjally curled, and therefore liable to
be damaged by every passing shower.
But about twenty long uneurled feath-
ers mounted on foundation and ar
ranged lengthwise from the neck make
a very handsome tippet, either pure
white or gray or dyed to any shade OF
color. The interstices can be filed
with smaller feathers, and the cape is
not only soft and graceful, but the tips
make q charming finish at the edge,
This is extremely warm, and being
porous avoids the objections to fur
capes and baskets. Cloaks of larger
size may be made, but these are natur-
ally very costly. Muffs and boas are
made of the long "fuffs." which do not
lose their curl, and are similar in con-
struction to the feathers of the High
land regiments bonnets A boa about
six feet long ought to cost less than
half sovereign, and tits much warmer
and more elegant than similar article
made of fur. They are also almost in
destructible, and the feathers when
dyed and prepared are practically inn
pervious to the attacks of moth. The
whole conditions of the trade have
altered since feathers were last in
vogue in consequence of the largely in
creased supply. If they should again
become fashionable for trimmings and
dress ornaments they will be found not
more costly than. silk ribbon, while
fortune ought to await the innoyator
who has the enterprise to adapt them
to winter garments and wraps.
THE North China Herald says thu.