Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-14
STRAW TO MAKE HATS.
Urging a Trial OF Its Cultivation In
Maryland.
Baltimore American.)

| Baltimore's recognized pre-eminence In
| the straw-hat manufacturing business has
| excited frequent inquiries amongst enter
| prising residents OF Maryland as to why
| this State does not raise the needed straw
| for the business, instead OF depending
| upon New England and other sections OF
| the country for the supply. They have
| endeayored TO point out the economic ad
vantages IL would be TO both city and
State if the product should be raised al
most at the very door Of the factories
This question. however, has been put by
those who are not apprised of the fact
| that experiments have already been made,
with but poor success. The trials have
! been made in Baltimore county and else
where. There has been found in the eli
matte conditions OF this particular lati-
ture, however, a peculiar something which
prevents the straw from reaching that
degree OF perfection necessary TO make IT
available for hat manufacturing purposes.
The rich soil and humid atmosphere COM
bine 10 so overload the straw with mois-
ture that 1t is apt 10 miIdew before reach
ing the workable state needed in manu-
featuring.
MIR. FRANCISS VIEWS.
Mr.. Isaac II. Francis. yice-president OF
the Brigham Hopkins Company. German
and Paca streets. large manufacturers OF
straw hats, In discussing the matter, said
yesterday: Straw for Matchmaking can be
raised in New England, Canada; and
around Lake Michigan. Further south
than this the industry will not thrive, for
there will be too much dampness found in
the atmosphere. The leaf is taken from
the straw at the joints and in low lati-
tudes the straw mildews Under the leaf
L. l.
Forty years ago there was large straw
plating industries in Massachusetts,, but
these have ceased, owing 10 the competi-
ton from China and Japan. The majority
of the straw we get is from China and
Japan, the Japanese being the finest. |
have cut a great deal of straw in New
England. l cut some in Baltimore county
several years ago. but the straw was mil
dewed, and the venture was not a sue
cess. Widowed straw cannot be beached
without injury TO the straw Il is very
important, then. 10 get straw grown from
countries where the mildew does not &C.
cur"
STRAW-WEAVING INDUSTRY.
Concerning straw weaving. which has
become one OF the most important indus
tries in some parts OF the German empire.
the United States Consul-Ceneral at
Chemnitz, in a recent report. gives some
points OF interest. He says:
Straw, that once served only for fuel
or fertillzing purposes. is put up by these
people into the most useful, beautiful.
and fantastic forms Plates, dishes.
baskets. boxes. tables. trunks fans, hats,
caps, mats. etc. are made by the million,
and sent TO all parts OF the world. In a
stretch OF country containing six square
miles there are lo0oo persons employed
In making articles of straw.
"Of the straws used. the best come
from Tuscany. There are rye and wheat
straws, and are known as 'grano mar
zuolo.' or March grain. II Is sown In
March. very thick. TO prevent the blades
from growing too fast or strong. In June
II has grown to a length OF eighteen or
twenty inches, and Is ready for use. Tho
rye and wheat is torn out by the roots.
bound into small bundles. exposed 10 the
sun. but not TO the rain. and Is then