Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-07
FOR THE WoMAN,s HAT.
How the Popular "ostrieh PIumes'
Are Made Now.

There Is an unprecedented demand
for wings and feathers this winter and
with few exceptions every hat is dec
Grated with plumes which wave and
fiutter in the slightest breeze.
Composite plumes are the most fash
ionable, and wings are Of such remark
able size and hue that 1t is obvious
that no bird could have supplied the
plumage. In consequence, the ingen-
uity Of Paris, Vienna and London man
ufacturers has been taxed to the ut
most to meet the need.
1t will interest those who have hu-
manitarian scruples to know that the
gayest plumage nowadays comes from
the humble barnyard, the poulterer's
shop, and sportsmen's guns. The feath-
cry products from these sources are
dyed in magnificent colors, conjured
into the vast erections that decorate
the newest shapes, and are softened to
the needs Of the picture hat.
I'VE have agents all over the world, y
a feather manufacturer said, who buy
up poultry and game feathers, and
send them to the great centres, where
they are distributed for manufacture.
Here Is an excellent instance: These
military feathers, that are the most
fashionable, are contributed by the
farm yard chanticleer. They are dyed
to almost every color, and then mount
ed by hand.
This" and the manufacturer held
up some exquisite plumage, "is hand
made entirely, and Is from the neck
feathers of the duck. Turkey feath-
ers are used In the same way and dyed
the required color. Pheasant tails are
preferred in their natural color, while
other game plumage Is made entirely
by hand on mounts each feather be-
ing attached by adhesive gum. Some
times, indeed, plumage from six DIFF
ferent birds Is used to secure a desired
effect.
Here again." and q beautiful, f1ut-
tering feather was shown somewhat
resembling seaweed. This Is made
from the least valuable parts Of the os-
trich feather, twisted and mounted.
Many devices are used, too, to Sc
cure unique color effects. This"-and
rare feather was lifted for inspection
has had the color extracted, while
these"-and a vivid box Of plumes was
opened-"show the latest triumph In
artistic dyeing.
There Is no need for cruelty or ex-
termination. The birds that grace our
tables can supply the plumage, the
dyer the necessary color, and the nim-
BILE fingers of English and French
workgirls will weave them into deft
shapes.
While ladies demand exotic plum
age, the manufacturers must supply It
Ii is impossible to initiate the natural
beauties of the osprey or the bird OF
paradise, or of any of the exquisite lit
tie birds that come from purely tropi-
cal climates. Birds, however, are not
fashionable this year, but a stock must
always be kept in hand.
1.-The popularity of the ostrich feath-
ers grows each season, and there Is
no cruelty used in securing this plum
age The output from the South Afri-
can farms this year is enormous, up
ward of a million plumes being ex-
ported These are now used in theil
natural state, as well as curled, anG
are, of course. dyed nearly every color
1t would be impossible to find a more
graceful feather than the ostrich, ant
it's trimming possibilities far outshine
the beauty of Oriental plumage. -
London Chronicle.