The Washington herald., 1908-07-26

The rug Is fast displacing the carpet IN
the American home, as It long since did
in Europe. Here IN Washington most new
houses. even Of the cheaper type, have
their painted or vanished floors. and the
housewife depends upon rugs and Jap
anese mating rather than the oid-style
carpet for the covering.
Consul General William Il. Michael. Of
Calcutta. has prepared the following
comprehensive review OF the rug-making
industry Of British India. which depends
80 largely on the United States for mar
ket:
The United States buys each year many
thousand dollars worth Of washed
rugs" Brightly cOlored Oriental rugs are
sometimes washed with a solution Of
chloride Of lime. which treatment partial
y bleaches the colors and imparts a soft
appearance TO the rug This chemical
treatment is a process Of 'washing"
which produces the effect Of age and a
peculiar sheen to the surface. which Is
pointed out By the unscrupulous seller as
q proof Of superior quality The fact is,
the process Of washing invariably weak
ems. and in some cases destroys, the ma
terials Of the rug.
How Chemicals Affect COIors.
The progressive effect OF the chemicals
OF the materials in the r1g Is as fol-
lows: The chlorine gas contained IN the
chloride OF lime attracts oxygen and
moisture from the air. BY which muriatic
acid Is formed, which eats away the vi
tails OF the rug Sooner or later the wool
a. -
thus weaken the warp and deteriorate the
wool. When this deterioration Is COM
plste. the pile Of the rug may be swept
away BY the ordinary process Of sweep
ing, and the warp. which Is the founda-
tion Of the rug. becomes so weak that
holes appear here and there. and very
soon the rug Is worthless
The question arises how this dlsas-
trous treatment Of rugs can be avoided
and still give 70 the lover OF antique
effect what he desires. The only answer
must be that the antique effect shall be
obtained by scientifically correct dyelng
and correct technical blending OF the col
OTIS IN the rus. BY this method the per
feet antique effect can be produced and
at the same time a thoroughly desirable
rug be had-Oue that Will equal the Old
Persian rug IN appearance and possess all
the strength and vitality that a rug can
have.
The existence OF the Oriental rug man
ufacturs depends on the American mar
ket At one time London was the rug
market OF the world. At the present
time comparatively few rugs find an ac-
tual market in London. More nne rugs
are taken By Germans. who. by the way.
manufacturer the tEfJed rug. which, when
well made IS a beautiful and serviceable
floor covering.
America the Largest Market
The United States has become the
largest rug market Of the world. This
fact should make Americans earnest stu
dents Of rugs in order that they may be
prepared 10 detect frauds and 70 get TIE
worth OF the money invested in beauti-
flying and making comfortable their
homes. SO far as rugs contribute 70 that
result.
The dying OF woods used n the manu-
facture OF Oriental rugs IS a matter Of
the first Importance The dyes used are
purely vegetable. Il should not be for
gotten that there are many classes OF
vegetable dyes. some Of which lose theil
artistic effect unless made honestly and
with scientific knowledge Il is gratifying
20 know that the preparation Of vegetable
dyes has received a marked advance un-
. der the knowledge Of chemistry OF an ex-
pert whose entire interests IN the manu-
facture Of rugs lies n the direction OF the
United States and all Of whose products
go TO that country.
Each factory dyes its own yarns. anC
the yarns used il one rug are al dyed
In the same solution, so as TO have absO-
lutte uniformity in the coIors. The only
exception 10 the statement that vegeta-
bic dyes are used exclusively is that coch-
meal is extensively employed in the pro
duction Of all reds. crimsons, and pinks
No other dyestufI can BE- made TO t,Izs
the place OF cochineal. which not only
gives the soft and beautiful reds and
shades OF red in Oriental creations, bui
/ is absolutely fast.
The cheap rugs are not treated witt
/ cochineal dyes for the reason that theJ
{ are too expensive; and II may be saiy
I that many OF the sO-called high-grad,
I Oriental rugs are not treated with III,
/ best dyes. Il Is essential. therefore. tha
( the buyer Of an Oriental rug should pur
/ chase it from a maker OF weIl-knowl
pTobity.
/ The loom consists Of two upright post
/ set TO feet in the ground. ; to Zee
high. 5 or s inches thick. and y 70 l
/ inches wide. Set fl these posts beams