Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-21
HUMAN HAIR,
Its Qualities-A Million Pounds of 1t
Change From Head to Head.

From the Rochester Post Express.
Perhaps there ia no staple article about which
less is known by the public than human hair as
an article of commerce. 1t will doubtless sur
prise many when 1t is stated that the dealers in
human hair goods do not depend on chance
clippings here and there, but that there is q
regular hair harvest which can always be relied
on. 1t is said that over 1000, 900 pounds of
human hair are used annually in the civilized
world for adjoining the heads Of women. In
New York city alone over five tons Of this class
Of goods are imported every year. Much of
the hair used in this country comes from the
heads of American women and is fully as fine
in shade and texture as the imported article.
There has been some talk recently of forming
trust in this business, and if this untoward
event should occur our American women would
have to dispense with considerable por-
ton of their tresses or pay q much
higher price for them. A we'll known
hair dealer of this city gave Post Erorsss re-
porter recently some interesting facts about
the hair business and the source from which
the beautiful locks are obtained Most of the
hair which l use in my business" he aid. Il
obtain from ladies in this city. We had a big
harvest during the recent craze for having the
hair cut short. Many of the ladies who had
their locks shorh at that time have since Bit
teriy regretted il. In many instances the hair
grew 80 slowly that it became necessary to
wear wig or switch as the fashion changed.
After women have reached certain age the
hair seems to partially lose its vigor and If cut
it will not grow again. Blonde hair seems to
be going out and the demand for bleaching
preparations is not nearly great as it was a
few years ago. Not enough human hair can be
procured in this country to supply the home
demand and in consequence there is a large
amount imported annually. The largest sup
ply Of hair comes from Switzerland, GERMANY
and the French provinces. There ia a human
hair market at Morlans. in the department. OF
the Lower Pyrenees. held every other Friday.
Hundreds of traficing hair dressers throng
to the little place from far and near
to buy up the hair Of young peasant girls.
When a bargain is struck the dealer laws the
money in the open palm Of the seller, applies
his shears, and in minute the luxuriant tresses
fall on the floor or course, q maiden can
rarely zee her long braids pass into the dealers
possession without crying, but she consoles
herself for their loss with the thought that they
will grow again A woman's hair may grow to
the length of six feet Nine. Hess Of Paris re-
fused 5000 francs for her crown of rlory.'
which was about that length. It has been
proved that single hair will bear up a weight
OF four ounces without breaking, but the hair
thus heavily weighed must be dark brown. for
blonde hair breaks under q strain of two and
one-half ounces. What wonder is it. then. that
beauty can draw love with Q sinele harp
There are over 5000 importers, manufacturer
and dealers of hair in the Unitad States. md
1892"