The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1910-02-03

from a shell, the number varying ac-
cording TO the size and the thickness
of various parts OF the she'll Small
buttons are cut from small shells and
large ones from the larger shells.
Operators are paid for cutting l6S
buttons, which is termed gross; an
allowance OF twenty-four being made
for culls. Wages average from 81 to
So per day. Here also a chance is
! had for finding pearls which are i'm
bedded in the shell. The cause OF
these pearls is the introduction OF
grain OF sand, or some other foreign
substance, into the shell OF the mussel
which causes an irritation OF the
tissues and the muscle deposits the
pearly matter for protection. Pearls
are found both in the body and the
shell of the mussel.
These blank buttons are then put
into large rotary churns with a mix
ture OF fine sand and water and are
churned for four hours. This process
smooths their edges. They are then
taken out, dried and classified accord
ing to their tickness. This is done by
the buttons being fed into a classify
ing machine which drops the buttons
of uniform thickness out together.
They are then ready to be ground,
centered and eyed.
These three processes are done by
large automatic machines, very ex-
pensive and very complex. These
machines are operated by girls. who
place the buttons onto them continu
ally, one by one. They are first
ground down to the desired thickness
by passing under an emery wheel
They then continue their journey,
dropping into a rotary line of vices
which holds them tightly while the
centers are followed out They then
pass on, coming in contact with tiny
bits which bore their eyes. They are
now buttons In the rough.
Next they are again put into churns
with a mixture of fuller's-earth and
pumice-stone and are churned six
hours to smoothe their dull, rough
surfaces. After this they are given
the acid bath which consists of being
boiled in muriatic and acetic acids for
one hour. This is to polish and give
them glazed appearance. They are
then mixed with sawdust and a pol
ishing powder and put into shakers
for one hour to give them the final
polish.
There is also a bleaching process
'or certain kinds of buttons. This is
lone by peroxide of hydrogen and
other chemicals. When the manufac-
.urer desires a eolored button the
white ones are smoked to the desired
shade
The buttons are now finished, but
hey must be assorted according to
lies. This is done with much dex-
Gritty by girls who get to be adopts in
he business. Those that are to be
ewed on cards are let out into homes
nd the sewer is paid by the gross.
'hese are sold to large wholesale
rms. But great many of the but
ons are sold in the bulk to manufac-
lrers of garments.
When one thinks of the millions and
billions of buttons made by one fac
Dry alone, and knows that there are
nree stages in the process OF making
here the button must be handled
Ingly, one can imagine what a vast
mount of work is expended on them.
ne can also get some idea of the ex-
ense of making them when, in a large
lctory, it takes $4,000 worth OF ma
1inery to bore the tiny eyes. In view
the great expense of making, ten
snts per dozen doesn't seem SO high
IT buttons after ALL
There is one more thing we wish TO
otice. about the shells and that is
eir unlimited usefulness. After the
ittons are cut out they are crushed
to chicken feed and the dust made
ON grinding down the button Is put
| the market as securing powder.
any of them are made into novelties
oh as souvenir shells, heads for hat
ms, stick pins, watch charms. etc
nscatine's pearl novelties have found
cir way as far as Paris.
However there are so many shells
at not all of them can thus be.
ilized.