196 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



PACKING. 



Packing is made of cotton, wool, or other fibrous substances, 

 ground up with elastic compound. In consequence of the in- 

 vention of this fabric, great economy is introduced into the 

 manufacture of gum-elastic, as the scraps and sweepings of the 

 factories, that were formerly thrown away, are now made into 

 the best goods of this kind. This fabric is used for engine- 

 packing, and deck-scrubs for ships. It is also generally used for 

 the soles of gum over-shoes, for which it is preferred, being 

 lighter, not so likely to slip, and more durable than soles made 

 of gum-elastic only. 



GRITTED GOODS. 



India rubber fabrics are gritted with different substances for 

 different purposes, with sand, as patented,* for car covering, &c., 

 to prevent their being slippery, and also to prevent their igniting 

 by sparks from the engine, and with emery, pumice, and other 

 substances for buffing, sharpening edge tools, erasing pencil 

 marks, &c. Recently some specimens have been made of gritted 

 goods, which, it is supposed, will be used as a substitute for slates, 

 memorandum paper, &c. 



The grit, of the kind required, is first ground and incorporated 

 with the gum, after which the fabrics are coated with it in the 

 usual way. 



• By Nelson Goodyear, brother of the writer. 



