46 



than for the comfort and improvement of their workmen. The 

 liberal policy of the Willimantic Linen Company, to give one 

 of many similar examples, shows how these difficulties may be 

 surmounted by wise provisions for the improvement and edu- 

 cation of the hands. 



One of these " models " is the silk factory of the Cheney 

 Brothers in South Manchester, Conn., by far the largest and 

 most successful factory of the kind in the world, making over 

 25,000 yards of ribbons and broad silks a day. This business 

 started here by the Cheney family in 1836, has steadily grown 

 in extent and prosperity to the present time. The factory village 

 covers about eight hundred acres of land and includes some two 

 hundred houses. A fine lawn laid out with winding concrete 

 walks and adorned with shrubs and flowers fronts the mills, 

 and usually each of the houses. No fence or visibly dividing 

 line separates the front yards from the roads. The Cheneys 

 have encouraged their hands to build and own their home- 

 steads, and to this end furnish the land, and loan money for 

 building at a low figure, with a " liquor reservation" in the 

 interest of temperance and with the understanding that all 

 houses shall be on a plan provided or approved by their archi- 

 tect and that all shall be neatly painted some neutral tint. 

 Not a house in glaring white here offends the eye. The beau- 

 tiful grounds of the Cheney mansions, of the operatives and of 

 the factories all present the appearance of an extended park, 

 and give a look of refinement, kindliness, and good neighbor- 

 hood to the whole village which is like a well-kept garden. 

 No private yard is left in an untidy state. No debris or rub- 

 bish is seen around or near any dwelling. There is evidently 

 a public sentiment in favor of neatness and order that per- 

 vades the entire community and allows no dirty nooks to be 

 found. Creeping vines cover " the office" and some of the 

 factory buildings and dwellings. No block houses are found 

 here. The cottages stand apart and vary in style, giving an 

 individuality to each place. A capacious aqueduct carries 

 water to every house. This village seems like a community 

 in the best sense of the term, with common interests, pursuits, 

 and sympathies. The providing of a large and commodious 

 lecture hall costing $50,000, together with interesting and in- 



