SECTION OF TEXTILE INDUSTRIES. 83 



The Eoxbiiry Carpet Company has presented some fine specimens of 

 tapestry Brussels oar])ets, thus makinji' the collection to illustrate car- 

 ])('t manufacture (piite comprehensive. 



A perfect workin*;- model of the original cotton-gin invented by Eli 

 Whitney has been received from his son, Eli Whitney, of Xew Haven, 

 and is on exhibition in the jMuseum. 



The routine icorJc of the year. — The work of the acting curator con- 

 sists in obtaining and selecting material for exhibition, classifying and 

 arranging it for the cases, collecting information about textile industries 

 generally, and ai)plying such information to the prei^aratiou of labels 

 for the si>ecimeus. During the year work of this kind hasboen greatly 

 facilitated by the means afforded for visiting mills in the East as col- 

 lector for the jSTew Orleans Exposition. Through the courtesy of treas- 

 urers and superintendents of several of the largest mills the writer 

 was enabled to spend much time in studying the processes of spinning 

 and weaving, with great advantage to the work in the Museum. At 

 the same time photographs were taken of machinery in use, which are 

 of great value in illustrating the processes as they are described on the 

 labels in the Museum. 



For special courtesies of this nature the Museum is indebted to Mr. 

 H. Saltonstall, treasurer of the Pacific Mills, Mr. W. Whitman, treas- 

 urer of the Arlington Mills, Mr. C. Fairbanks, treasurer of the Bigelow 

 Carpet Company, and to various other firms and individuals whose 

 mills were visited with interest and benefit. 



An important part of the curator's duty is to make microscopical 

 investigations of fibers of all kinds, with reference to their value for 

 various purposes, and particularly as to their adaptability to textile 

 purposes. It has been impossible to conduct any systematic work of 

 this kind during the past year, owing to the want of time, and the 

 microsco])(^ has only been used occasionally for the i)urpose of identify- 

 ing specimens. It will be necessary, however, to employ the micro- 

 scope more frequently in future, for the work will require it. 



But little attention has been given to any but the exhibition series 

 of specimens during this year. It is doubtful if a comi)rehensive study 

 series would be of value in the Museum. A set of fibers of all kinds 

 and from different localities, that can be always accessible for examina- 

 tion, is, however, very desirable, if not absolutely necessary, and it is 

 intended to ])repare such a series without delay. 



The microscopical apj)earan(;e of the more iuiportant textile fil>ers 

 will be shown by means of photograi)hs from the microscope in con- 

 nection with the fibers themselves as soon as time pernnts. To this 

 end, some preparations were mounted for microscopical examination 

 by Mr. Harry English, during his connection with the Museum, and it 

 is expected they will yield fine photograj)hs. 



Reaearclies. — No original investigations have been conducted in this 

 department, the routine work demanding all the time to the exclusion 



