314 GOODYEAR ON G UM - EL AS T I C. 



APRONS. 



A great variety of aprons are made of the different fabrics, 

 which answer very useful purposes. 



In the early manufacture of gum-elastic in the United States, 

 this branch of business, particularly that of ladies' and nurses' 

 aprons, was carried on very extensively, and large quantities of 

 them were made and sold by the Roxbury, as well as other India 

 Rubber companies ; so that for one or two years the operations 

 of a number of extensive manufacturers were almost wholly con- 

 fined to this article. Unfortunately for the manufacturers as 

 well as the public, the aprons that were then made, were almost 

 or quite valueless, and the disappointment was such, that since 

 that time aprons have not been manufactured and put in the 

 market as articles of merchandise, although India rubber piece 

 goods are cut and worn for that purpose. There is little ques- 

 tion but when the manufacture is again attempted, and ladies' 

 aprons are made from the fibrous, and porous fibrous fabrics, 

 they will be found as economical and useful as ever was antici- 

 pated. 



NURSES' APRONS 



Are made of plated fabrics and corded vellum, or tissue. 



WASHERWOMEN'S APRONS 



Are made of plated cloths and corded vellum. 



BRICKMAKERS' APRONS 



Are made of heavy porous fabrics, or vegetable leather, per- 

 forated. 



