Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-02-01

gloves. They are remarkable for
elasticity, and give when pressure is
put upon them by the hand, and
retain their shape for a long time.
But an excellent grade of glove is
made in America. The domestic
glove sells well, and compares
favorably with the imported goods.
In all the branches of the glove
making industry high degree of
skill is required and the workmen
generally learn their trade in Eu-
rope.
1.-THE lambskins are selected with
great care, and put into large tanks
at the factory. These tanks are
partly filled with the yolk of eggs
and other soft, sticky substances.
Then the skins are subjected to
thorough pounding with heavy
stick that is padded so as not to in
jure them. In some factories men
with bare feet tread on them, their
object being to 'nourish' the skin
and make it strong and healthy
The skins are kept in these tanks
for long or short period, accord
ing to the judgment of the Super
intendent. If allowed to remain
too long they become too well
nourished and decay.
after the work of nourishing is
over then comes the work of clean
ing. The skins are worked in tubs
of fresh water and washed thorough
ly until all trace of useless sub
stance is removed from the surface.
They now become soft and in color
are dull white. Then they are
laid on a smooth stone slab, with
the rough side down, and pressed
and stretched until every wrinkle
has been smoothed out.
1.-THE skins being cut remain in
this stretched state and are then
dyed. The dye is laid on with q
brush, and the shade is always dark.
err than the one desired, for the drip.
ping and after treatment Tighten il
at least one quarter. The greatest
care is taken to prevent spots OF
dye from getting on the inside Of
the skins, as this would produce 6
damaging defect in a high-priced
glove.
After the skins have been allow
ed to drip for several hours they are
taken to the drying room, the air Of
which is kept at high temper.
allure, usually by steam heat. II
does not take long for the skins tc
dry out hard, stiff, and rough. Be.
fore they can be used, however, they
are made soft and pliable again by
lying several days in damp sawdust
Then they are placed on a machine
worked by screw, and by long
and gentle pressure stretched to the
utmost. If there are any holes
rough spots, or cracks in the skin
it is thrown away, or should be
But not all the glovemakers are
honest, and the blemishes are often
covered up. This accounts for the
sudden giving out of many gloves.
1.-THE delicate part of glove max
ing is the cutting, as the least varia-
ton in the lines will destroy the
symmetry of the glove and make its
fit imperfect. Patterns are used
for each size, but even with these
mistakes are often made. In first
class factories, where the skin is
not properly cut it is thrown away
or cut up into gussets. Every skin
is studied by the cutter so as to
make the greatest number of gloves
from it with the least waste, and it
is so graded that the largest sizes
are first marked out and the rest is
used for children's gloves.
Modern invention has enabled
the cutter, when blocking out the
glove, to make small holes in the
skin for stitches. This insures per-
feet regularity and uniformity of
stitching, which are of great i'm
portance. If the stitch is too tight
an uneven pressure is put on the
skin, which makes it break easily,
and if too loose it leaves bag in
the glove. Linen and silk thread
are used, and the stitching is done
by women, who are fairly well paid.
When the gloves are finished they
are thoroughly inspected and, if ac-
copied, are tied up in bundles ready