The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-06

The various kinds of feathers are put
into separate bags, male and female
separate, also tail feathers, wing feath-
ers, white. black, gray, etc, and these
are all graded afterwards according to
their different sizes. Before these feath-
ers are useful for the purposes of trade
they have to undergo numerous opera
lions; first graded, then tie them on
strings about four feet long, singly, or in
punches of two or three, according to
their size, then they are secured. cleaned
in soapsuds, and rinsed frequently, when
they are ready for the dyer The ma
tural black ostrich feather is dyed
black; this is not only on account of its
natural shade but also because of its
character, having n fine silk-like down.
this is the glossy black of commerce, so
much valued by connoisseurS; and these
black feathers are more valuable than
drab. After dyeing, more rinsing in clear
water containing starch: then they are
beaten ON a smooth board until they are
free from all particles of starch. After
this they go to the work-roOm where
skilled operators finish them; here
again they are graded, and this grading
is even more important than the first;
years of practice and observation are re-
qnired to fit the competent operator for
his task. Then they go to the sewing
department. The fashion of the single
feather disappeared long ago; now each
feather used i'm the trade consists of sew
eral whole feathers placed on top of each
other and sewn skillfully together, three,
four or five feathers, according to the
value and thickness desired. After sew
ing the feathers are steamed, in order
to allow the fihers to assume their nat
ural position. which is the beautiful one,
and taken charge of by the curler, who
gives them that graceful shape, both to
fibres and stem, so much desired. From
the curler they pass to the buncher, who
combs them and gives them that fashion
demanded at the time, for sale in the
open market
The North Carolina troops in camp
here last year left a good impression
behind them. / drove out to the old
camp. now deserted, and a friend pointed
out the positions of the various regi-
ments. and particularly the spot between
the camps where a North Carolina
soldier ''downed' an H. +. v, who re-
fected upon the Tar Heel. when they
got here some of the North Carolina sol
diers had no shoes and no decent clothes
and that put them at discount, but it
was not long before they displayed such
qualities of the soldier and the citizen
as to win the respect of the whole city.
They made friends and there were many
inquiries made of me about Capt. This
and Private That. Some of them were
quite popular among the bellies of this
city, and they say" that more than one
wedding will result next year from the
encampment of North Carolina boys in
this city of beautiful women.
= ~
The encampment was a big thing for
Jacksonville in a business way as welt
as in a social way There were as many
men in camp here as there are men, wo-
men and children in the city. They all
spent money, some of them freely, and
it made Jacksonville the liveliest town
on the Continent while it lasted. Jack
sonvilIe hated to see the boys leave, both
because of the social pleasures as well as
the financial considerations. If some of
the boys painted the town red, it did not
shock Jacksonville. 1t is a cosmopoli-
tan town and is not easily shocked.
i
The city has fine population of old
time Southerners, who retain the old
traditions, and a great influx of wide
awake, progressive Northern men and
women. The combination makes a fine
population, possessing all that is best Of
the two Civilizations the Puritan and
the Cavalier. Which predominates? In
the summer, the Cavalier. In the winter
the Puritan. But the visitor from both
sections rules the roost' in the gay
winter season, the Jacksonville people
giving them the go" j. d.
Fish being rich in PHOSPHORUS and
phosphorus being the essential thing in
making matches II therefnr1. stands 10