New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18

MESlIC SEfNINL'
or the many changes in Southern life since the
Civil War altered the customs of the people none
s,s co interesting as that brought about in indus
rial conditions. The home industries Of plantation
ma are now nearly oblltcrated. The less-ski!led
work Is carried on by tho lower class OF white
ueople The negroes are widely scattered, seeking
shployment In distant cities at higher wages than
they could possibly obtain at home. Those who are
100 poor 10 buy their passage North save 1t from
gu, their scarty wages Of IS and 81 month ana
70 North at last as to the Mecca Of all their hopes
The few that remain buy cheap. ill-made cloth
ING AZ the store" and the old slaves exc out
their scanty supply with spinning WOOL for stock
lgs and other knitted garments.
The more fortunate ones are on the same man
rial basis as the poor whites. with the difference
,hat the co'ored people usually own their land ana
cabins with less stock than the whites. While The
latter rent their cabins. and have sheep cows
horses pigs and chickens.
SLAVE-DAYS' INDUSTRIES.
In the old DAYS each plantation had an indus
trial centre. among the slaves were carpenters
eoopers sawycrs, blacksmths. tanners. curriers'
shoemskers butchers spinners. weavers kniters,
and even distillers The woods furnished timber
for the carpenter and charcoal for the blacksmith
The cattle killed for consumption and sale sup
pied skins for the tanners and leather for the SHOE
makers; the sheep gave wool and the neids pro-
duced cotton and FAX for the weavers and spin
ners. and the orchard fruit for the distil!er
The backsn,iths did all the work in their line re-
ers and knitters made all the clothes and stock
nss BY the ana Of ds NM made
every Eu ample peach and persmmon brandy.
There were few public disteTs then All was pros
60 hand in hand The negro cabins are falling into ,
decay, and the houses IN Tn a le since disap-
pared Occasionally VIII be iOuli S an co oI and
SHINING wheels are still seen in the old cabins
CARDING AND SPINNING WOOL.
Tho moor white people who have been fortunate
.,orgb 70 gather together few head Of stock live
q The better cabins. and exc out their scaniy IN
,ornes bv cardlng and spinning wool and making
,oap the last re INFANTS Of the many Industries OF
the plantation. , 4, .ha door
"a tben comes the tedious operation OF picking
the burs from the fleeccs MS done 1ne n norGs
wife seats herself on the cabin pqreh @a 80 it5
az "kvards the wool with the wooden careers WIN
steel teeth that were used wheh virginia was
The wool! after being carded in soft fine rolls Is
spun into thread an old wheel tnal u dtea pa
ahundred wears or more II il Of the same max
as a wheel that was used in the ninth century. tho
work then as now always being done ny T., a
wonan This ancen, patterned wheel stands IN
Inc liyinc-room which contains the high post bed
and tho cothesyress and besl9e NE !of niS
Grandmother chair, also ponderous ana ah0'ei'
structure. $500, .L..n
he meals eaten. The chimneys are inTd.iaDly ,
tullt outside the mouse IN unsuccessful! attempt
70 The dOCryard.
MAKING SOFT SOAP.
soap-makiug-the other industry that has sur
rysd plantation days--s done in the fan. All the
grease and the wood ashes from the open fires are
stored throughout the winter months The hrsi
thing 10 be cone T. 10 make the I've. A barrel Is
a!ed with ashes and water is poured on them tIi
The ye trickles out. through hole made In the
barrel into A small tub or jar. The soapnaket
mnst have good judgment as 70 the Strength OF
her lye for On the correct strength depends me
good quality Of her soap II the I've VIII pear an
gg so that a small portion OF II appears ABOVE
ne surface i is Just strong enough . -.
The grease and iye are boiled In the Dig pot owe.
. FIRE made out OF doors under the cpol snane OF
cooryarG trees. The soap when made - me ana
so. Ike a Gear Jelly and without any grease
Hard soap slightly pcrfumcd, IS made Tor toie,
Use with the tallow or a baybcrry. which grows
70 protusely IN Southern woods While MAXIM
the sosp l. stirred constantly with a long SUCK
ard always one way. The hard soap II poured mo
uays and Gu; ia small squares when nearly cc,u.,
me new generation OF colOred women nave Htl4e
VINE or thought for the patient labor OF thtr an
teslo!s With their quick faculty OF imitation
.sT learn rapidly from their new employers. ana
We Inherited talents for cooking and cleansing
W Wsh help them 10 many remuneraiiNe situations
VITA the- pockets fCi. Of their high wages they
wv Inc clothes in Northern cities, ana look win
wyalempt o. he simple industries OF their grand
ps!ehts RELOCATING such "nO-account WORK 10 the
,aueht ignorance Of tho sOrrOw!u. old people ana
"'' miserable poor white trash