Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-09
Some Things You Want to Know
Facts About Thread.

SILK thread has a large consumption. 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 manufacturing center in the United
States. and makes about one-half Of all
the products used in this country. SIX
culture Is carried on extensively in China
and Japan. and from there we get the mos;
Of our raw material. OF the cocoons used,
only the perfect specimens are converted
into the raw material. the others be!ns
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 important Industry in
many Of the towns Of Europe, and Its
manufacture Is taught as part OF the school
curriculum. Nottingham makes wonderful
lace curtains, a single pair having cost
as high as 5000. Handmade lace is al
ways highly valued, but the demand for
this article has Increased to such an ex-
tent that a large percent Is now turned out
by machinery. The best Honiton lace, in
the time OF President Jefferson. was SO
expensive that a woman's veil Of finest
quality sometimes brought as much as
5000. Today similar machine-made goods
are so cheap that one can be had for s..
A new thread for weaving purposes is
being made in oregon and California. This
Is made from 'bull' or yellow pine needles
and Is used for making blankets. arctic
boots and mattresses. This tree is not a
timber product in the western sense.
and the United States forest service has
encouraged the industry, believing 1t to be
beneficial to the trees. The needles are
picked in the spring and Is cents is paid
for 100 pounds. An average days work is
about COO pounds. The process Of prepar-
ing the needles is somewhat similar to the
manner in which flax is done.
Another thread for weaving which has
recently received serious consideration is
rsmie. This is a nettle grass which grows
principally in China, where It is extensively
used for clothing. 1t also grows in Porto
Rico and the Philippine Islands. This is
not only good for thread, fishing lines and
nets, but for cloth. 1t does not rot It
will grow where cotton will. and in places
where even that plant does not thrive.
1t is equally as cheap to produce. The most
expensive part of the process Of converting
1t into thread was d~egumming the fiber,
~NN - 800 A-1 ~ SNNAA VI NY
which II takes but ten minutes.
The making OF thread is considered to be
both easy and pleasant work. Some Of the
manufacturer are trying to make the life
OF their employees as happy as possible.
The work is such that young girls and
boys can readily do II, and Of the whole
force a considerable pei cent is young peo-
pie. In Scotland a scIcol has been erected
where the girls can receive a training which
win enable them to get ahead in their
work. The same has been done for the
boys. A home has also been built for girls
living at too great a distance from the
factory. Hero they can board at the lowest
possible rate under the care of a suitable
matron. Tennis courts, cricket and foot
ball grounds are set up for the benefit OF
the young people and during the year sew
eral excursions are given.
AS q close companion to thread comes
the needle. This Is another small article,
which does considerable to increase the list
OF manufactures in this country. Connecti-
cut produces the greatest plumber OF these
making about 200. 10000 each year, their
value being estimated at approximately
over N.00o.ooo. To make a needle requires
twenty-five processes. Sewing machine
needles are made in this country, but the
ordinary sewing and darning needles are
almost entirely made aboard, this country
receiving about $4,000 worth each year
The needle was in use in prehistoric times
In all places where man clothed himself
in the skins of animals or woven mater.
ials. The original variety was made OF
bone and ivory, and are still in use at the
present time among uncivilized people,
ny PREDERIC J.. HAsKIN.
TomOrrOw-LhHsa, the Kermit city.