The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05
INDUSTRIES IN China
Wonderful Skill of the Celestials in
Producing Dress Goods.
silks, satins, and other Textile Fab
rics manufactured in the Empire
That Challenge the Admiration of
the World - Cancels Wool and
Sleeps Wool Rugs-The Prices.

Whatever may be the prevailing opin-
ion among western nations regarding
Chinese integrity and virtue. there can
be no question that in many of the arts
recurring the exercise OF taste and skill
the Celestials are pre-eminently first.
. The textile fabrics Of the Chinese are,
in many respects, unrivaled. The manu-
facture of silk il China dates from a
very remote period. Popular tradition as
signs its invention TO the wife of the
Emperor Hwang-Ti, B. c. 26O2, while no.
tices of the culture of the mulberry tree
and the rearing of silk worms are found
In Chinese books as far back as 1850 B. c.
The silk industry If China enjoys the
peculiar care and protection Of the Gov
eminent, and has from time immemorial.
During the Tai Ping rebellion, the null
berry plants upon which the silk worms
subsist, were completely destroyed in one
province, and during five successive year,
the Government imported the trees from
another province and distributed them
gratuitously among the owners of land,
while silk cultiyators were brought TO
teach the peasantry the art, which had
been forgotten.
The consumption Of silk in China is
enormous. as it is used largely as a staple
of clothing By all but the poorest classes
of the population. The finest variety Of
silk exported to the United States costs
SO a yard even in China.
Besides silk. the Chinese are adopts in
the manufacture of sarcenets, satins,
serges. foulart.s. and tissues for hat and
millinery purposes. The manufacture of
silk piece goods including satins, Chinese
crepes. gauzes. etc. Is confined to four
provinces. In Shangtung is manufactured
curious kind. known as "Shantung
pongee." which for It's cheaDness and
durability. is much priced as an article of
summer clothing b. both natives and for
eigners. This material is valued at 50 for
twenty-five yards.
Then there are manufactured magnia-
cent satins camlets. brocade silks. pom
ceeg shawls, handkerchiefs, striped
gauges sashes OF embroidered silk, scarfs,
etc.
There is also made fabric from ashes
tos. the fibre of that mineral being woven
with cotton or hemp forming a thoroughly
freproof material. Then the grass cloth,
a native specially. is manufactured from
the fibre of several plants, which are
classed in China under the generic name
of ma"
The principal seats Of this latter unique
branch of industry are the provinces oil
Kwang-Tung, Kaang-Si and KiangSi.
Those of Canton, Swallow Kinkang, have
ports of shipment. There are many va
rieties and qualities OF grass CLOTH vary
ing In price from cents to 81 20 per yard.
The coarse kinds are exported in small
quantities to Manila and Singapore. where,
as is the case in China proper, they are
extensively used as materials for summer
wear. The cloth is often beautifully dyed,
usually blue or yellow, though foreigners
prefer white Handkerchlefs, scarfs. etc,
are also made of the same light and airy
material.
OF course. the best mating Is made in
China, that manufactured in this country
being merely an imitation. The Chine Sc
mating has a texture made from reeds,