Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-13

linen, but In 1853 the industry was
revolutionized by invention, and since
then has been in the lead.
silk thread has a large consump-
ton. New York is the greatest port,
with the sole exception of Shanghai,
for raw silk in the world. Paterson,
N. j., Is the principal silk inanufactur-
ing center in the United States, and
makes about one-half of ell the prod
ucts used in this country. SILK culture
is carried on extensively in China ana
Japan, and from there we get the
most of our raw material. OF the
cocoons used, only the perfect speci-
mems are converted into the raw ma
terial, the others being put aside to be
later converted into floss silk.
Thread, both cotton and linen, is used
extensively for lace making, the former
also having a large demand for use as
fish lines, fish nets and for sewing
shoes Lace making forms an inn
portant Industry in many of the towns
of Europe, and its manufacture IS
taught as part of the school cur-f
riculum. Nottingham makes wonderful
lace curtains. a single pair having cost
as high as $4,000 Handmade lace Is
always highly valued, but the demand
for this article has increased to such
an extent that a large percentage is
now turned out by machinery. The
best Honiton lace, in the time of Presi-
dent Jefferson, was so expensive that
a lady's veil of finest quality some
times brought as much as $4,000. To-
day similar machine-made goods are
so cheap that one can be had for w.
A new thread for weaving purposes
is being made in Oregon and CaI-
fornia This is made from bull or
yellow pine needles, and is used Tor
making blankets, arctic boots and
mattresses This tree is not timber
product i'm the western sense, and the
limited states forest service has en-
couraged the industry, believing 1t to
be beneficial to the trees. The needles
are picked in the spring and 20 cents
is paid for one hundred pounds. Inc
process of preparing the needles is
somewhat similar to the manner In
which fax is done.
Another thread for weaving when
has recently received serious considera-
tion is Rame. This is a nettle grass
which grows principally in China,
where it is extensively used for
clothing 1t also grows In Porto kico
and the Philippine Islands. This Is
not only good for thread, fishing lines
and nets, but for cloth. 1t does not
rot. 1t will grow where cotton VIII,
and i'm places where even that plant
does not thrive. It is equally as cheap
to produce The most expensive part
of the process of converting 1t into
thread was degumming the fiber, but
q, method has now been discovered by
which it takes but ten minutes.
The making of thread is considered
| TO be both easy and pleasant work.
| some of the manufacturers are trying
TO make the life of their employees as
| hannv as possible The work is such
that Young girls and boys can readily
| do 1T and of the whole force con-
! siderable percentage are young people.
In Scotland a school has been erecteu
where the girls can receive framing
| which will enable them to get aneao
| IN their work. The same has been done
for the boys. A home has also been
| huilt for girls living at too great dls-
| lance from the factory. Here they can
! hoard at the lowest possible rate under
| the care of suitable matron Tenhis
courts cricket and football grouhus
are set up for the benefit of the young
! people, and during the year seNel"i
! excursions are given. 90
AS a close companion TO threau
| comes the needle. This Is anotnet
| small article which does considerable
| 10 increase the list OF manufacturers III
| this country. Connecticut produces the
| greatest number of these, making
about two hundred million each year.
no make a needle requires twenty-five
processes. Sewing machine needles
| are made in this country but the
| ordinary sewing and darnlng neeuies
are almost entirely. made abroad inns
country receiving about three hundred
/ thousand dollars worth each year.
The needle was in use in prehistoric
times in all places where man elothea
himself in the skins Of animals OF
woven materials. The original variety
s THPil in use at the present time among
! uncivilized people.