New-York tribune., 1901-05-19
POPULARITY OF MATING.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CHINESE
AND JAPANESE PRODUCTS-EXQUIS-
TIE DESIGNS FOR SCREENS.

Several centuries ago Asiatic nations had au in
innate acquaintance with straw and rush mattinss
Of a more or less rough quality woven into small
sections, without sevedge binding but 1t IS less
than years since the first roll forty yards
long manufactured in Japan and several years
later before there deTdnd for straw mat
tings in America
About fifteen years ago 1900 rolls represented
the annual output TO this country; in 1890 the i'm
portation had increased to 10000 rolls Of japanese
mating and 10000 rolls of China mating. and
last year, according to rough estimate furnished
by a merchant recently returned from the East.
10000 rolls each of the China and the Japan prod
net were received at Western ports
Yes said dealer the other day. straw mat
tings have gained a remarkable popularity in this
country. and can hardly explain why. unless it
is that the fabric Is considered hygienic, and that
the majority of women always associate cleanli-
and wholesomenes. with Its smooth, cool
looking surface punsent odor. Woollen carpets.
rugs and upholstering materials every now and
then furnish text TO the health agitators where
with to point a grewsome tale. but so far straw
mating has escaped unfriendly criticism"
JAPANESE MATTINGS
AS late 1886 japanese mating considered
inferior TO the Chinese variety. and its import to
America for that year only one hundred rolls,
whereas to-day the finest. most artistic of the art
mattings come from Japan In some respects the
Japanese producer adapts himself more quickly to
the suggestions of the American consumer than
| does the Chinaman who to-day uses practically the
same patterns and colors which distinguished his
products in the beginning. and 1t was the Japanese
who first produced "jointless matting"-that is.
mating woven In a continuous piece OF any re
| quired length.
| During the infancy OF the mating industry weav-
ing was done In of two or three yards, af
terward Joined together the joining OF course indi
/ Gated plainly enough by an unsghtly streak
| Another original feature introduced by the Japan
csc IS a cotton instead of jute grass warp. with
,he result that Japan matings are softer and more
nIiable than those of Chinese manufacture, though
| not en- durable Their nferoriy in strength. how
| ever IS partly due the straw which is round in
| stead of triangular like that grown in China and
! a reason why the Chinaman is chary or cotton
| warp Is because he considers II hardly strong
! enough 10 support his heavier weave OF triangular
straw
In growing the straw the same conditions are OBJ
served In both countries. but not with the same re-
sults Chinese soil yielding two crops 10 one in
| ranan The crop is sown and partially grown
I under water from which it rises. according TO the
VARYING richness of the soil and abundance OF the
! water supply. 10 a height OF from thirty to forty
| inches When Il reaches maturity as much of the
water as possible Is drained OF. and harvesting is
begun slowly and laborioUsly by men. women and
! children who wade up their knees in mud and
] slime cutting down a handful OF the straw at a
/ time. In China the straw is spit oefore ~ Is
| woven into mating; in Japan II is used whole.
| HOW 1T Is MANUFACTURED.
The process OF manufacturing mating is interest
| ing and picturesque. Except in two or three Chi
! nese cities all the work Is done by hand. in the