16 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1915. 



novelties, there are being introduced into the collections machinery 

 and appliances both of historic interest and of modern invention to 

 illustrate the methods of manufacture, some of the latter being 

 adapted for operation in public view, this being especially the case 

 at present in regard to cotton, in which the processes can actually be 

 carried on from the gin to the loom. While the subject of textile^ 

 has been mainly promoted with reference to popular education, the 

 division is accumulating a reserve series which in time will be of 

 much service to manufacturers, as detailing the successive steps in 

 the methods and results of production for a considerable term of 

 years. 



The section of wood technology was only organized near the close 

 of last year. Though comprehended in the former division of for- 

 estry, very little material of public or even technical interest had 

 been assembled. The action which the Museum is now taking toward 

 bringing this subject to the front has been strongly advocated by 

 the leading industrial journals for some years and has the support 

 of prominent producers and users of wood throughout the country. 

 The development of the collection will extend to all features of prac- 

 tical significance pertaining to the industry. The first principal step 

 is in the direction of securing a representation of all kinds of woods 

 obtainable in this country and abroad that are useful for any pur- 

 pose from the most humble to the most refined, the same to be sur- 

 face finished in the several ways appropriate to each. It is promised 

 that the current year will show marked progress with the series. 

 Besides these samples, there are to be gathered illustrations of the 

 various purposes to which wood is put, its miscellaneous products 

 and extracts, manufacturing processes, etc., which, together with the 

 records that should accompany such a collection, will make the sec- 

 tion of wide practical utility. 



With regard to miscellaneous animal and vegetable products very 

 little progress has been made beyond installing such of the former 

 collections as were found in good condition, though in a few subjects 

 some important materials have been added. The old collection of 

 foods had so deteriorated in storage that only a small part can be 

 used, except in the matter of Indian foods, which could not be re- 

 placed, and which are, fortunately, mainly preserved. 



In mineral technology, the former collection of metallurgical prod- 

 ucts has given place to an entirely new scheme of presentation of the 

 great industries which are covered by this division. The minerals 

 and ores in all their varieties are included in the department of 

 geology in the new building and are not duplicated here except where 

 necessary to specifically illustrate an industrial process or feature. 

 It is the aim of the division, whose collections will be mainly on ex- 

 hibition, to illustrate the manner of occurrence of all minerals of 



