SILK FROM CABBAGE

Evening Star, Issue 20019, 9 November 1928, Page 9

SILK FROM CABBAGE

BEAL AND ARTEFIGiAL HOW TO TELL THE, DIFFERENCE. The mysteries of artificial silk were discussed on September 1 by the delegates attending the Drapers’ Chamber of Trade Summer School at Cambridge. Mr Arthur Mason, of Macclesfield, said that, although artificial silk fabric could be made of wood pulp, it could also be made from cabbages, bananas, or finy- other vegetable matter from which cellulose could bo obtained. “ People can usually tell the difference between pure and artificial silk by squeezing it up in their bands. Real silk, unless it is weighed with chemicals, feels warm to the touch, and will not crease. Artificial silk feels cold and slippery, besides being too lustrous. “ Its creasing propensity is one of the greatest problems for manufacturers, and many experiments are being tried to cope with this difficulty, and save women the trouble of having to iron an artificial silk frock each time it has been worn.

“ Nothing can be more suitable for underclothing and window linen than artificial silk. It has made tremendous strides since the day it was made from glass and straw, and it is still making rapid headway.” It is interesting fo read in the ‘ Financial Times' that while no increase in turnover in foreign trade for artificial silk is noticeable, inquiries from India for a wide range of fabrics have been better. There is some sign of slackening in the Brazilian demand, but British manufacturers have secured a good hold here. In the Argentine trade is improving. The dominions are maintaining a very good business, ami Australia and New Zealand are particularly interesting. In the latter cane the consumption of artificial silk goods has been increased by the cancellation of the tariff.

In Australia imports of British-made cotton and artificial silk mixtures are on a higher level than has ever been reached, according to advance details of the export returns. The trade in yarns is also expanding, and from this it may be assumed that consumption of the new fibre is increasing more rapidly than in most countries. If the bad economic conditions of the present winter pass away, as may be fairly expected, and the. purchasing power of the people 1 be' fully restored, there is certainly a prospect of good business for some months. Chinese demand has improved slightly, chiefly in poplins and brocades, and' there has been some improvement in demand for artificial silk and wool mixtures.