New-York tribune., 1909-03-21
PROPER CARE OF FURS.
Modern Methods Of Storage Sup
plant the NOriOuS Moth Ball.

Time was. and not so long ago at that. when the
first soft sprngIike days of early March turned
the thoughts OF the thrifty housekeeper TO the
burdensome task that lay before her OF putting
away the family furs and winter clothing Then
she was ever on the outlook for warm, sunshiny
day on which to set about the work Social en-
gagements had be broken. and such general
upsettng OF the household there was the morning
that she finally made the announcement that the
propitious day had arrived. Every idle member
OF the family impressed into service, while the
domestics turned from the regular routine OF
their work to assist in this special task.
Then such turning out Of closets, such heap
ing up OF furs coats. dresses and blankets, and
articles of every fabric which contribute TO the
OF the frisky little moths during the long
summer months. They must one and all be iugged
down into the yard. hung upon the clothesne, and
then beaten, brushed and shaken until muscles
were weary and aching from the unwonted exer-
tons after which they were left for several hours
to be infused with and air, not TO mention any
stray microbes and dust that might be wandering
about.
Toward the end of the day came the further task
OF carrying back the numerous garments, Of folding
them up. and wrapping them in sheets and news
papers along with all sorts Of evil smelling drugs
and nostrums that warranted obnoxious 10
the wanton moth. Then closets. storerooms and
trunks we're filed with the bulky parcels. valuable
space that could I'll be spared in the present day
conditions OF high rents and small closets
Safely stored away the work yet only half
all be hauled out again. and this time subjected
to the cir and bath in order 20 get rid of the
noxious odors. Even with the most careful folding
a lot of wrinkles had got in. and always
in the choicest gowns and coats. while to see how
the nap was crushed the furs was disheartening.
The cloth garments could be sent to the tailor TO
be pressed and otherwise furnished up, but to treat
the furs far more difficult and dangerous
matter for often a great part Of their beauty was
gone past repair.
Modern methods have changed all this Thanks
to the invention Of cold storage plants the house
keepers is only liShened but entirely done
away with-another instance OF mere man having
invaded the field Of woman's labor and annexed IL
as his The up-to-date hoUsekeeper gets
through with the task in about five minutes that
took her mother FIVE times five hours. She simply
picks up her telephone. calls up her furrler or
storage house, and asks them 10 call for her gar
ments such and such a date. She does not even
have to pack them in trunks unless she prefers TO-
OF course she makes list of the articles and their
approximate value. All the heavy portieres. blan-
kets and costly rugs 90 along with the furs ana
heavy overCoats.
A delivery wagon calls on the day mentioned. the
attendant leaves general receipt. and a few days
later an iemized receipt stating the exact condl-
ton Of all articles Is forwarded. Wherever fur
garment is rubbed It Is noted, and If the lining Is
soiled or worn that fact Is mentioned Along with
this ttemzed account goes memorandum bill Tor
storage that covers year and includes insurance
against loss by fire thieves. This bill has to be
paid only when the garments restored to the
owner, and the amount is a mere fraction OF the
value thereof.
II furs are to he repaired the time to have this
attended is while they in storage for during
the early spring and months the prices |
are much less than in the late summer and fall |
when all the skilled fur sewers are busily engaged
preparing the new winter styles.
Furs are returned their quite uncrushed |
and without having lost any of their lustre. The |
rossessor of costly sables and other rare furs has
learned that retain their natural lustre they /
must always he kept in cool room: that heat is |
the great enemy The temperature of the cold |
storage rooms Is always the same, the air is dry |
The giddy moth could live a moment there
Even on the hottest summer day the cold storage
room is assuredly the winter of his dscontent
a visit 10 one of these large plants is most inter
esting On a tour of inspection the visitor is. on |
warm day. provided with an extra wrap in order
not to catch cold from the great change of tenn
perature There are two sets of doors at the en-
trance which are separated by a fair sized ante
ROOM and of doors is never opened until
the other is closed. carefully is any possible
change Of temperature guarded against 1he sec
ond door gives entrance 10 an immense room Win
stone and cement walls. and there are 10 De seen
row after row OF racks filled with fur garments
the coats all hung on individual coat racks so that
there possibility of the pelt being crushed or
of the fur lined being wrinkled. In the large
cold storage plants the kept separate from
the wooIIen garments and rugs Before the gar
uenfs are placed ia the cold rooms they are all
thoroughly beaten by skilled workmen in order to
cree them from the dust