Exhibition Addresses. 157 



THE WOOL INDUSTRY OF THE UMTED STATES. 



AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE EXHIBITION OF THE AMERICAN 

 INSTITUTE, OCTOBER 5th, 1869. 



By Erastus B. Bigelow, Esq. 



May I ask your attention for a few minutes, ladies and gentlemen, 

 while I say a word in relation to a single department of this great 

 exposition ? It is by the appointment and request of those who have 

 the direction here, that I shall speak to you on the subject of wool 

 and its manufactures. Among the numerous and varied products of 

 art and industry which this occasion has brought together, you must 

 have noticed that woolen fcibrics hold a conspicuous place. The 

 JN'ational Association of "Wool Manufacturers, now about five years 

 old, had already resolved on a special exhibition of their products; 

 when, through the generous courtesy of the American Institute, a 

 a place was given theui here. That old, honored, and useful institution 

 desires, I am confident, no better proof that its kindness is fully 

 appreciated, than that which our manufacturers have given in filling 

 tlieir allotted space with so many fine products of skillful industry. 



Though the annual fairs of the Institute have long been celebrated, 

 it may be doubted Avhether on any previous occasion there has been 

 so rich and varied a display. As regards that part of it to wliich I 

 now call your attention, I think no one can pass through the building 

 and not discover that in the number and variety of its contributions 

 the woolen department far exceeds any other of the industrial interests 

 here represented. This pre-eminence is due to the fact that these 

 woolen contributions are the result of associated and systematic eff"ort. 

 Even this collection, large and full as it seems, gives but a partial 

 idea of the wool manufacture in our country. Had all the other arts 

 and industries which are to be seen on this spacious floor labored to 

 bring out their strength as successfully as we have labored, the Insti- 

 tute would have needed numerous rinks as vast as this. 



