92 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1022. 



The generous cooperation of Cheney Bros., of South Manches- 

 ter, Conn., has been continued by the contribution of specimens of tie 

 silks, silk scarfs, ties, mufflers, handkerchiefs, and socks showing the 

 use of silk for men's wear. 



The Duplan Silk Corporation, New York City, added to the 

 numerous specimens previously contributed by it two specimens of 

 figured novelty crepe fabrics showing beautiful combinations of 

 thrown silk and artificial silk. 



Specimens of mohair net, an open-weave drapery fabric made 

 from cotton and mohair yarns, were contributed to the textile col- 

 lections by Lesher, Whitman & Co. (Inc.), New York City. 



Steps in the manufacture of seal plushes and other fur fabrics are 

 illustrated in an interesting series of specimens presented by Sidney 

 Blumenthal & Co. (Inc.), of New York City. 



Two specimens of Bokhara prints, one on satin striped voile and 

 one on a heavy novelty crepe, were contributed by H. E. Mallinson 

 & Co. (Inc.), also of New York City. 



To Tobler & Co., New York City, the Museum is indebted for 

 three samples of Dufour silk bolting cloth, a strong, fine, gauze- 

 woven fabric made in Switzerland especially for use in mills as a 

 bolter or sieve to separate the finer products of milling from the 

 coarser particles. Silk bolting cloth is not made in this country, 

 and it is the only manufacture of silk that is imported into the United 

 States without paying a customs tax. The finest of the specimens 

 lias 26,569 mesh to the square inch. 



A valuable addition to the silk exhibit was the gift to the Museum 

 by Mr. Amin Meluk of specimens of the cocoons and crude silk pro- 

 duced by larvae of the eri silk moth, Attacus ricini Boisduval. While 

 the raising of the common mulberry silkworm can be successfully 

 carried out in this country, the production of raw silk in America 

 has not been successful, owing to the impossibility of reeling the 

 cocoons in competition with the low-paid labor of the Orient. The 

 production of spun silk from pierced cocoons and other forms of 

 waste silk, however, has grown to be an important business in the 

 United States, since it is practically a machine product. The cocoons 

 produced by the eri silkworms can not be reeled and must be handled 

 by machinery. Eri silk is white and possesses many of the prop- 

 erties of tussah without the objectionable brown color. The food 

 plant of the eri silkworm is common in the Southern States, and it 

 appears that silk from this source may be produced in the United 

 States. 



The ancient art of weaving, which for a long time has been given 

 over in this country to power-operated machines, is again taking its 

 place as a popular and fascinating handicraft. Following a lecture 

 in the south gallery of the Arts and Industries Building, October 25, 



