The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-08-28
LINENS.

Linen like cotton is vegetable
fibre. 1t is produced from the tia>
plant. In appearance it is long cyl
indrical celled, pointed at the ends
and with thickened walls. The cells
are united in nodes or dones giving
ii an uneven appearance as to size
1t is produced from the flax plant and
its quality varies with the lenght OF
the fibre. The short combings are
called tow the long superior hbrcs
are called line" The textile strength
of linen is greater than cotton. 1t is
a better conductor of heat than cotton
and hence is not so good for winter
wear. 1t is not as pure cellulose as
cotton. 1t costs more than cotton be
cause OF the difficulty OF raising it,
labor is expensive because the work
is long and tedious and skilled work
ers are scarce. Flax machinery is
costly, the profit in other crops di-
reefs attention in other lines OF agri-
culture. Flax dcrletes the soil and
hence much attention must be given
to enrichment.
Sources of Supply.
Russia produces one half Of the
worlds supply.
Belgium produces the best quality.
ireland, France, United States,
Holland, Portugal, Denmark Nor
way, Sweden, Switzerland and Tur-
key are fax producers.
The characteristics Of good linen
are: Smoothness of texture, brilli-
ancy, which is increased with laun-
dering; good weaving, qualities, eX-
quisite freshness, soft, yielding and
elastic-almost leathery feeling, and
takes dye with difficulty. 1t absorbs
moisture readily-hence makes good
dish cloths and towels
How to Distinguish Linen from Cot
ton-Chemical and Physical
Appearance.
Tearing test: Linen weaves arc
more difficult to tear than cotton
torn ends of linen, appear equal in
strength, are parallel tibred and real
glossy. They tear with shrllI
sound
Cotton shows torn, curling, luster-
less threads of almost equal length
tears with dull or muffled sound.
Untwisting test Linen threads
UNFINISHED show more or less Taral-
lei arrangement Of glossy individual
ibres. Cotton threads show different
directions in each turn OF the FIBRE
Light test Barncd ends OF linen
i threads, after the flame is distinguish
ed, appear scorched in an even, conn
pact manner. Cotton thread simil
arly treated spread apart more or les.
like a paint brush.
Oil test. Linen is more transpar
ent than cotton.
Color tests: Fuchsin test. Matefla
laid in neutral alcoholic fuchsine solu
ton for eighteen minutes washed il
alter, and laid in concentrated an
lmoumn Gy,lroxidc solution lincr s
deep rose color. Cotton is ght pink
Moisture test: The old tesl lha
was SO commonly used is no lonye
reliable for scmt u the cotton ciCt
| is so treated :Ial it will re pond 1
this test qui,e rs Well as will linen.
Microscopic test: This is the mos
reliable test OF all and where tn
, schools have microscopes II VIII b
| found to be an excellent method {
determining pure linen cloth
Uses of Linen Cloth.
Dish towels-Absorbs moistuT
rea lily.
Towels better tina
damask weave as its rough surface o
| ferS a greater surface.
Table cioth-Damask and iarelrs.
| >E,da cart, launders easily, sh2H
| never be starched as tbs lien sGl!ca
| in ironing-stains are removed mo
| easily INA linen tau cotton 5ecaE
| it takes eye with ditS,ully and lad
Il Ia1