The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1925-02-05
HOME ECONOMICS
DEPT. MEETING

noon at which time Mrs. C. Rydberg
ulda Newman and Mrs. Msuds
Dzerrwaehter acted as hostesses and
Sc. e.. dainty refreshments at the
c. II the business meeting.
Mrs. Katherine Brophy read an in
ts.esting paper on the subject Of cro-
ctet bead chains and Mrs. Elizabeth
Dobson demonstrated hooked rugs and
read the following interesting paper
on that subject.
fe Old New England Hooked Rugs
IvvAud Euks as a floor covering are
of SURPRISING excellence. Whether
seen from the viewpoint of exceeding
elegance, or that Of mere practical
utility, Hooked Rugs present a pros
pect that is equally pleasing. Hooked
Rugs look better and wear longer than
any other rugs that ever graced the
floors of human habitation, be
the same more or less prenen-
tious, If properly made, and of the
best material, with coloring truly ar
tistic, they grow increasingly beautiful
as time mellows and blends the differ
ing shades and tints into exquisite
harmony. The revival of interest in
this superb olden time floor covering
is truly remarkable and has become
nationwide and permanent. The hook
ed Rug has most surely come into its
own. But what can be predicted as
to the origin of this superlative Gre
alton? Whose was the concept? Whose
should be the credit of the produc-
tons of the first hooked Rugs? When
We're they made and where? In old
England, in New England, or in Cam
ada? These questions continually
fall from the lips of ardent admirers
of Hooked Rugs, who desire the infor-
nation not only for its great historical
value, but because in all fairness they
wish in this matter Of high import to
"give honor to whom honor is due.
The truth is. that the beginnings. of
the Hooked Rugs are shrouded in mys-
terry, from which the veil is yet to be
lifted. No voice to-day can speak
with authority upon this interesting
question. Those who have hitherto
made definite pronouncements have
been found to be in irreconcilable dis
agreement, and their efforts have con-
sequently contributed nothing to our
enlightenment. Let none despair, how
ever, for men Of antiquarion procliy-
tiles and much experience in the work
of historical research, are giving SER
ious attention to this matter.
In the absence of positive knowl-
edge, the following example will serve
to show the wide divergence Of opin-
ion in regard to the origin of Hooked
Rugs. Several prominent writers upon
the subject strongly contend that this
deservedly popular floor covering ante
dates the American Revolution. A
still more venturesome writer of rep
utation asserts that Hooked Rugs were
in evidence earlier than the year TOO,
How much earlier he leaves to gem
eral conjecture. In fiat contradiction
of the foregoing, numerous opinions
have been quoted in recent issues Of |
the Antiques Magazine to the effect |
that Hooked Rugs did not make their
initial appearance until the early part
of the 10th Century. And so the con-
tiict of opinion goes merrily, or, as
the saying is, with neither side gain
ing, nor likely to gain through sup
positional methods, the decisive VIC
tory.
No article of floor covering so beau
tifies and adorns the home, whether
set with antique pieces or with en-
tirely modern furniture, as the trans
scendent Hooked Rug. This fact is
becoming universally recognized, and
the demand for these rugs threatens
soon to be unprecedented. Many Of |
the aged people now living in New
England are quite familiar with |
Hooked Rugs, since such were the in
variable floor covering Of their child !
hood homes. We pause here to ex-
-