The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
WEALTH IN CHINESE RUGS
Industry Has Had Large Develop
ment in Several Cities.
Wenvers Earn 20 TO 40 Cents "a Day,
One square Foot Being Aver
age Days Work.

Consul General James ". Ragsdale
writing from Tientsin, says that the
American people are scarcely aware Of
the wealth OF China In all sorts Of woven
cloths, and more especially as 70 hand
manufactured rugs and carpets, chiefly
made in Tientsin and Pekin. where one
thousand persons or more are employed
in the production Of rugs Of all kinds Of
material l. e. silk. sleeps wool. camels
wool. jute. hemp. felt, yak hair, and even
the hair of the COW.
A high upright loom consisting of large
beams above and below. from which the
warp is stretched is used. In front OF
these several men and boys from one to
ten. according 10 the size Of the rug are
seated. knotting into the warp tufts from
balls OF yarn hanging overhead. the de-
sign in color being 50 placed that each
Workingman can see il without difficulty
Workmen are paid at the rate Of from
% to - cents, Mexican. a day labout 10 10
% cents gold. one square foot is an av-
erage days work The industry has re
Gently been introduced in several Of the
industrial schools for the employment OF
the poor. The silk carpets are very like
those produced in India. Turkey. or Per
sia In colors and quality OF material, but
vastly different in design If left 10 Chi
nese selection Foreign designs, II fur
nished, are faithfully copied.
These rugs differ greatly in quality. In
some the warp is cotton. while in others
the warp. as well as the nap or WOOf is
silk. Some are made Of even surface,
while In others the figures are raised. The
quality also differs in the number OF warp
threads used 90 the inch. which varies
from twelve 10 twenty. as we'll as in the
quality Of the silk yarn The cheapest
are sold al from Sl.Se to sl-5o, Mexican. a
square foot. while the better qualities
regularly bring from s. 10 8 a square
foot The quality most in demand. how
ever. ranges in price from s. 10 $40 a
square foot. They are male in all sizes
and are made for floor. table and piano
covers and wall draperies.
The wool rugs are in far greater de-
mand and are largely used throughout
China. Japan. snd the East. Many are ex-
ported 10 Europe, and lately 10 America.
They are made on the same loom and in
the same manner as re the silk rugs.
Those of all sleeps wool. with cotton
warp. range in price from 40 cents 10
s2.5o. Mexican. per square foot, the size
design, and color 20 suit the taste OF the
purchaser. The wearing qualities Of
these carpets make very economical
floor covering, and age softens and blends
the colors. which are in all reliable places
OF manufacture OF vegetable dyes.
The carpets especially favored by the
local residents and tourists are made
from camers wool. the prices ranging
from > cents 10 81 a square foot These
rugs are heavy and frequently are fully
one-half inch in thickness. They are
fashioned in all kinds OF designs-fiOral
geometrical. and dragon.
The rugs made from the other materials
mentioned (the yak excepted are used
only by the natives. and range in prices
from five 10 twenty five cents Del square
foot. Those made from the hair Of the
yak are very rare and expensive. compar-
ing in style and beauty with the finest
silk rugs. They are made only in the in
terror provinces of China
II is interesting to note the origin of
the carpet industry in China The
method of manufacture was first used in
making saddlecloths and trappings OF
horses used in professions and by Chinese
Of high rank. developing into the rug and
carpet industry on the advent Of the for
eigner. The saddle blankets are stiIl used.
and often are highly finished in the most
elaborate designs and patterns