NAPPED GOODS. 197 



NAPPED GOODS. 



Specimens of India rubber cloths napped with woolen flocks, 

 were manufactured by different persons as early as 1835, and 

 before they were made by the writer. These goods decomposed 

 like other India rubber goods of that time, only sooner than 

 others, on account of their decomposition being accelerated by 

 the oil in the wool. Napping has recently proved successful 

 upon the heated vulcanized fabrics, and for many uses they 

 are superior. For wearing apparel, they are more com- 

 fortable and pleasant, and for blankets and imitation buffalo 

 robes, they are warmer than India rubber goods that are not 

 napped. The different fabrics are also, by being napped, made 

 exactly suitable for the covering and protection of furniture, in 

 such articles as table spreads, pianoforte covers, &;c. The 

 different methods of napping are noticed under the head of 

 Manufacture, Chap. X. 





