102 



Straw goods depend much upon times, and seasons, and fashion 

 for their vahie. 



The Exhibition occurs at a season of the year very unfavorable 

 for a show of straw goods. 



The manufacture of these goods for the coming year usually 

 commences in December ; the heaviest sales are in February and 

 March, and are entirely over in June. Very few goods are made 

 for the fall trade, and the sales are past, or nearly so, before the 

 last week in September. 



It follows as a matter of course that a general assortment of 

 straw goods, made for exhibition, could not at that time be sold to 

 advantage ; and if kept till February or March afterward, they 

 would be out of fashion, and their value diminished. In order, 

 therefore, to secure a good exhibition of straw goods, it is desira- 

 able, in the opinion of the Committee, that a variety of liberal 

 premiums should be offered, so as to stimulate the skill both of the 

 manufacturer and the operative. 



No part of making bonnets requires so much labor and skill as 

 sewing. It is a common remark that " if a bonnet is sewed well, 

 it will finish well." 



The Committee are quite confident that if manufacturers Avill 

 furnish the material, (and they may find their interest in so do- 

 ing,) there are many sewers in their employ who would gladly 

 compete for the premiums of this Society. 



If it were as practicable, the Committee would recommend 

 premiums to those engaged upon other parts of the bonnet than 

 sewing. 



They would, however, suggest that manufacturers who may 

 obtain premiums, can suitably reward those upon Avhose skill their 

 success depends. 



If it were not deemed inappropriate, the Committee would sug- 

 gest that premiums, under the following classification, be offered 

 at the next Exhibition of the Society : — 



For the finest collection and best manufactured Plain Braid 

 Bonnets, not less than twelve in number, two premiums. 



For the finest collection and best manufactured Fancy Bonnets, 

 whether of straw, hair or other material, not less than twelve in 

 number, two premiums. 



For the best specimen of Straw Bonnet, wholly of domestic 

 manufacture, two premiums. 



For the best specimen of Straw Braid of Domestic Straw, not 

 less than 100 yards, two premiums. 



For the best specimen of Sewing Bonnets, made of straAv, hair, 

 or otlier material, exhibited unfinished, with the blocks upon 

 Avhich they are made, and not less than three from each sewer, 

 two ])remiums. 



If the offer of such a list of premiums is generally made known 



