The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-08-18
; WORLDS FAIR LETTER.

my atCractlVe ana valuable exhibits
representative Of the American textile
industry invite the attention of the
visitor at the Exposition.
When it is duly considered that the
present acreage of the cotton crop in
the South is lO,7O1, 1886 acres, as
estimated, the extensive Importance of
the Southern textile industry asserts
itself. The Improvements of to-day in
cotton mill machinery ale vast and diver
sified, and the cotton mill man in
Machinery Hall lcannot fail to store
up valuable inform hation from tae study
of the latest meth0Ss of manufacture in
volved id modern inventions. Mlchin-
cry for various modes of spinning, wcav-
Ing, stamping, and numerous means for
dyeing and drying, are promiscuously
shown, mention of all of which will ap
pear In future correspondence.
To commence with cotton in the raw
state,an exhibit worthy of early mention,
that attracts tho attention of the curious,
is that OF the gin. In the Agricultural
Department, with the vast exhibit of
farm implements, is displayed tho
machines of the Northington-Munger-
Pratt Company, of Birmingham, Ala. l..
This firm shows-and shows well-its
systems of handling, cleaning, ginning
and pressing cotton. One of its great
machines is kept in active operation,
illustrating its improved system OF elevat-
ing seed-cotton out of the wagon by
suction; of cleaning cotton by suction
without passing it through the fan; of
drawing cotton from storage houses by
suction; Of running the gin and the brush
by one and the same belt, and of ginning
from a series of gins into one condenser
into self packing revolving double box
press. This machine is novel ono to
Thousands who see 1t daily, showing the
complete revolution in the handling and
ginning of cotton, equaled only. the
manufacturers claim, by the invention
of the gin by Whitney.
In the Agricultural Department also
is an exhibit of rare beauty and vast
import to the United States. While not
directly of Southern stamp, yet it is a
display of an industry that tho South,
with patience and assiduity, could
doubtless speedily develop-this is the
display of the Women's Silk Culture
Association, of Philadelphia, organized
In 1880. This association shows the
process of manufacturing silk from CO.
coons. One loom is in constant opera
tion, and the system of manufacture is
shown from the shell of the cocoon to
tho flashing touches of the finest
Columbian souvenir handkerchiefs, flags,
etc. Upon the whole, the most impor-
tant feature advanced by the association
Is example. 1t shows tho Importance
of the industry of the United States.
Raw silk is produced principally in the
extreme Orient and in Europe. The
United States, vastly agricultural, i'm
ports, it is estimated $40, coo, 900 worth
of manufactured silk through our custom
houses annually, and $24, 900, 900 of
foreign raw silk. The average annual
production of raw silk for the nine years
ending 1888 was %, 8,721, 900 pounds.
During all of these years tho United
States imported more than $3.50, 900
pounds, and in 1889 imported $685.
84S pounds, being considerably more
than one-fifth the consumption of the
whole of Europe and the United States
put together. And shall the Agricultur-
lists. calling for more aud varied indus
tries, neglect the culture of silk2 The
industry, once understood, in a simple
one. The Women's Silk culture Associa.
ton claim 70 have done more for the de-
veioping Of silk culture In the last ton
years, than oil the other associations,
including the station at Warrington and
with less money. They have raised and
reeled 1900 pounds Of cocoons; have
made some 1900 pounds of reeled silk,
hayo made some forty silk United States
flags, and thousands ofsilk handkerchiefs,
fringes, ribbons, trimmings, etc. Seven
teen of the flags were presented to the
Genital and South American governments
at the Pan American Congress. The
Association presented to Mrs. james
Garfield the frat silk dress made from
silk raised in this country. The exhibit
in Agricultural hall isa rare point of
interest and marvel of beauty, attract
ing constant and admiring crowds.