SECTION OF TEXTILE [NDU8TBIE& 83 



The Roxburj Carpel Company has presented some fine specimens of 



tapestry Brussels carpets, thus making the collection to illustrate car- 

 pet manufacture quite comprehensive. 



A perfect working model of the original cotton-gin invented by Eli 

 Whitney has been received from his son, Eli Whitney, of New Baven, 

 and is on exhibition in the Museum. 



The routine work of the year, — The work of the acting curator con- 

 sists in obtaining and selecting material for exhibition, classifying and 

 arranging it for the cases, collecting information abont textile industries 

 generally, and applying such information to the preparation of Labels 

 for the specimens. During the year work of this kind has been greatly 



facilitated by the means afforded tor visiting mills in the East as col 



lector tor the New Orleans Exposition. Through the courtesy of treas- 

 urers and superintendents of several of the largest mills the writer 

 was enabled to spend much time in studying the processes of* spinning 

 and weaving, with great advantage to the work in the Museum. At 

 the same time photographs were taken of machinery in use, which are 

 of great value in illustrating the processes as they a re described on the 

 labels in the Museum. 



For special courtesies of this nature the Museum is indebted to Mr. 

 H. Saltonstall, treasurer of the Pacific Mills, Mr. W. Whitman, treas- 

 urer of the Arlington Mills, Mr. 0. Fairbanks, treasurer of the Bigelow 

 Carpet Company, and to various other firms and individuals whose 

 mills were visited with interest and benefit.. 



An important part of the curator's duty is to make microscopical 

 investigations of fibers of all kinds, with reference to their value for 

 various purposes, and particularly as to their adaptability to textile 

 purposes. It has been impossible to conduct any systematic work of 

 this kind during the past year, owing to the want of time, and the 

 microscope has only been used occasionally for the purpose of identify 

 ing specimens. It will be necessary, however, to employ the micro 

 scope more frequently in future, for the work will require it. 



But little attention has been given to any but the exhibition series 

 of specimens during this year. It is doubtful if a comprehensive study 

 series would be of value in the Museum. A set of fibers of all kinds 

 ami from different localities, that can be always accessible for examina- 

 tion, is, however, very desirable, if not absolutely necessary, and it is 

 intended to prepare such a series without delay. 



The microscopical appearance of the more important textile fibers 

 will be shown by means of photographs from the microscope in con- 

 nection with the fillers themselves as soon as time permits. To this 

 end, 80me preparations were mounted for microscopical examination 

 by Mr. Harry English, during his connection with the Museum, and it 

 is expected they will yield line photographs. 



Rexearchr.s. — NO original investigations have been conducted in this 

 department, the routine work demanding all the time to the exclusion 



