CLIMATE OF AMERICA. 155 



At Poughkeepsie in New York, a large establish- 

 ment has recently commenced operations. 



At Northampton, a large establishment for the manu- 

 facture of silk has gone into successful operation under 

 the superintendence of Mr. Whitmarsh. 



At Dedham, Mass., a new manufacturing company 

 and establishment has lately been formed, which has 

 been placed under the superintendence of Jonathan 

 H. Cobb, Esq., who is well known as a gentleman of ex- 

 perience, and eminently distinguished for his zealous 

 exertions in the cause of American manufactures, and 

 particularly those of silk. He is the well known author 

 of the " Manual on the Mulberry Tree and the Culture 

 of silk." This establishment is extensive, and manufac- 

 tures sewing silk of the first quality, and other fabrics 

 on a large scale. 



Messrs. Montague's establishment is situated in 

 Washington street, in Boston, and has been in success- 

 ful operation for about four years ; about three hundred 

 females being constantly employed. Here are from one 

 hundred and fifty to two hundred looms for weaving 

 Tuscan braid. These braids are formed of a great 

 variety of elegant patterns ; the silk constitutes the 

 warp, but the filling is formed chiefly of the imported 

 Tuscan straw, with a mixture occasionally of the Ma- 

 nilla grass, which, is the same material which is used in 

 the formation of the grass ropes; this substance being 

 of a white color, and shining appearance, contributes 

 to form an elegant article; with this is also occasionally 

 mixed, thin fine strips of whalebone, of a white color 

 and shining. 



They here manufacture eight hundred bonnets a 

 week, or from eight to twelve hundred, of a great vari- 

 ety of elegant forms and patterns ; all of which find a 

 ready and profitable sale both in the North and at the 

 South and West. These usually sell by the wholesale, 

 from $2 50 to $4 each ; some, however, for chil- 

 dren are sold as low as $2 each. 



