PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 369 



ami when the work is conipli'tcd tlif stitelios are found to bo uniform. Tlie 

 top of the vice may be displaced and parts substitut(Hl conforming in out- 

 line with the direction of the seam to be mudc After tlie sewing is linished 

 tile glove is stretched, then placed in a dump linen cloth and beaten, to 

 render it soft. The (inal t)peration is pressing. 



TUo gloves manufactured in this country are designed more for comfort 

 than ornament. A' hirge uiajority of them are made in Fulton county, in 

 tlie Slate of New York, in several villages nortii of the Mohawk valley. 

 Thert> are also largo glove establishments in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts 

 and Connecticut. The sewing machine has been used to a considei-able 

 e.Ktent in this manufacture. Some of the glove makers of large capital, it 

 is said, are about commencing the manufacture of fine kids, in competition 

 with the Fri-nch and Germans, who have thus far supplied our market. 



On conchuling his remarks, the Chairman asked for information as to 

 the mode of making knit gloves. 



Dr. Joseph W. Richards, in reply to the query whether there was a ma- 

 chine for knitting gloves whole, said a lady sitting at his side requested 

 him to state there was such a machine, which she had seen working in 

 Rensselaer county, in this State; and while on the floor he would add that 

 he had investigated the subject of peltry, and had visited the large glove 

 making establishments in Fulton county^ The business is thoroughly 

 understood there, and that is the secret of their success. Attempts have 

 been made, in what seemed more favorable localities, to compete wutli 

 them, but without success. 



Glove making originated in Johnstown, and was owing to the fact that 

 Sir ^Yilliam Johnson, the Indian Agent of the British Government, resided 

 then' before the Revolution. Skins of all kinds, particularly deer skins, 

 were brought there by the Indians. The first article manufactured there 

 wius the deer skin mitten. From this small beginning arose tR(; glove trade 

 and several thriving villages devoted to it. The amount annually manu- 

 fjfctured n'<w exceeds a million of dollars. The sewing of the gloves is 

 done in the families of farmers throughout the whole county. The cheap 

 labor there, as well as in many other parts of our countr}', is owing to the 

 fact that the work is done by a class who Jiave already their support at 

 home, and take up this to furnish themselves with what is technically 

 called pin money. 



The nature of the skin fit for gloves involves some interesting points. 

 The best ghjves ore made from the skins of animals which are covered with 

 hair, as distinguished from those covered with fur or wool. The deer skins 

 used are mostly from this continent, and those preferred are from the 

 northern part of it. All hairy skins are not fit for gloves; for instance, the 

 skin of the hog, used in the manufacture of saddles, is not included among 

 the class used by glove makers. On the other hand, the skin of the horse 

 and the dog make a very fair article. A skin tanned with the hair on is 

 more nearl}' water proof than when the hair has been removed. The best 

 skins used by tanners arc from the finest breed of cattle. 



There are other features of the skin bearing upon its fitness for gloves 

 besides its pilous covering. One of these is the relative thickness of the 



LAm. Inst.] X 



