Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-02

which cotton is given luster almost equal
to that of silk Technically it is known as
mercerized cotton, but sold under many
aliases. Not only does 1t serve as an adu-
terant for silk goods but knit underwear,
hosiery, gloves ETC.. made entirely of mer-
cerized cotton are freely sold as pure silk.
The test for silk that has been noted Is
sufficient to discover this fraud.
An adulterant of silk less commonly used
Is artificial silk. 1t is unnecessary to ex-
plain its structure or characteristics further
than to state that some of it is so highly
inflammable as to place the weaver's life
in jeopardy. The test for silk does not affect
1t, and If lighted match be applied to the
yarn it will burn violently. Although
scarcely within the scope of this article it
may be stated that all cheap silks and many
Of the better grades are treated with chem
icals to give them body or weight; while
the rustic effect, recently so popular, is
always obtained by a chemical process, and
is not a natural property of silk. Many of
the chemicals used for loading or giving
the fabric body are injurious to the wearer
when worn next to the skin.
Cotton Easily Detected.
The presence of cotton is so easily de-
tected in thin linen fabrics that 1t seems
surprising so few women know the test.
Take a handkerchief you know to be pure
linen, moisten the finger slightly and touch
1t lightly to one side of the fabric. 1t will
absorb the moisture and wet spot will
appear upon the opposite side. Repeat the
same test upon handkerchief you know to
be all cotton, or upon an equally thin piece
of cotton cloth Unless the finger be
moistened a great deal more and be pressed
firmly against the cotton, the opposite side
will rpmain irN sla
towels, etc" may be tested in similar
manner, providing a small piece OF sponge
or cotton cloth be moistened slightly and
applied
The above test is useless In determining
the amount OF cotton In u linen fabric For
this purpose causttc soda or caustic potash,
a per cent solution is sufficient. Purchase
or 10 cents worth and dissolve a heap!ng
teaspoonfu, or a piece the size OF a wal
nut, In about quarter cup OF water. Re-
move several OF the warp yarns and i'm
merse them In the liquid for fifteen min
utcs, II the yarn be softened so that It pulls
apart easily, II Is pure linen. II 1t be as
strong rs before immersion, II Is conclusive
evidence that 1t is cotton. The solution
causes cotton yarn to contract and gives It
additional strength. Treat the weft yarns
In a similar manner; then, to clinch the
test, make fresh solution and immerse a
piece OF the fabric one or two inches square.
Remove 1t after fifteen minutes and test by
pulling In the direction the warp yarns
run, and then in the direction the weft
yarns lay. II the fabric is soft and pliabIe
In both directions 1t is pure linen, but n
the warp or weft or both do not stretch, It
is part or all cotton, as the case may be.
The above tests are recommended for ap-
plication only to high-priced. guaranteed
goods; cotton prices can never be expected
to buy wool cloth, nor will the rate paid
for linen purchase pure silk. But in this
day of perfected machinery the consumer
needs protection against INSCRIPTIONS pro-
ducers. and II very generally used these
tests will assure success for the honest
manufacturer, with corresponding failure for
those attempting to deceive the public.