REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 39 



Textiles. — The accessions in the division of textiles comprised 

 many excellent examples of the present-day productions of American 

 textile industries. The largest group of specimens received consisted 

 of the most important types of cotton threads, arranged to show the 

 various ways in which they are wound and put up for family and 

 factory use. They were accompanied by several beautiful examples 

 of tatting, crochet, embroidery, and cut work, in white and colors, 

 suggesting artistic and practical uses for many of the threads in 

 the series, and supplemented an extensive series of models and ma- 

 chine parts illustrating the manufacture of cotton thread previously 

 received from the same contributor. 



The hearty cooperation of many American manufacturers has con- 

 tinued to keep the collections supplied with new types and designs 

 of dress goods as soon as these novelties appear on the market. The 

 exhibits illustrating the principal methods used in decorating fabrics 

 were enriched by numerous examples of tied and dyed work and 

 many samples of skein-dyed plaid silks for comparison with piece- 

 dyed and printed fabrics. 



Fresh samples of the standard types of ribbons commonly used 

 and many beautiful specimens of novelty and fancy ribbons, show- 

 ing Aztec, Indian, Chinese, and Byzantine designs, augmented the 

 ribbon section. The adaptability of mohair, by reason of its luster 

 and resiliency, to the manufacture of plushes, velvets, and fur fabrics 

 was shown in an instructive series of specimens comprising up- 

 holstery goods, cloakings, trimmings, and automobile rugs. Ex- 

 amples of household industry in the textile arts of a former period 

 were received in the form of hand-woven coverlets and quilts, while 

 valuable specimens of foreign hand-worked textiles from China, 

 Spain, and Germany were added to the collection through friends of 

 the Museum. 



Additions were obtained for the collection of implements illustrat- 

 ing the preparation and use of flax and other fibers in former times, 

 including an old wooden rope machine which had seen many years' 

 service in twisting bed cords and wash lines. The utilization of pine 

 needles in the manufacture of coiled baskets and of split-palm stems 

 for large pack baskets was shown in other accessions. 



Wood technology. — Although circumstances greatly retarded the 

 progress of work in wood technology, some interesting exhibits were 

 secured. A model measuring 12 by 15 feet and contributed by the 

 Forest Service is designed to show the various important uses of the 

 national forests and their administration. A comprehensive cork 

 exhibit covers every phase of the industry from the raw bark to the 

 many articles made from this substance, and certain modern methods 

 of preserving wood are represented by a model and samples of the 

 materials employed. Examples of 15 species of Argentine woods 



