BUSTLE GROWING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12765, 17 June 1911, Page 12 (Supplement)

BUSTLE GROWING.

AL' bristles are not supplied by the pig by any means Vast quantities are now grown in England out in the open, fields, being manufactured from "broom-corn." Many fields of highotamling light yellow stuff are destined to provide bristles for a variety of purposes'. The broom-corn, by the way, has to be fertilised with one peculiar fcubstance, no other suiting it; this is made from powdered sheep bones, mixed with soot, and, curiously enough, ox bones will not serve the purpose. As brushes are used by every individual without exception, there is quite a diversity of materials used for making them. All manner of substances die used for making brushes, including goat's hair, whalebone, and various Petals It is now the case that ani- "' mat bristles aro baing much less used ior purposes of manufacturing brushes. Most of the cheap brashes used for household purposes have ther bristles jT:ade of vegetable fibres. Many special kinds of grass are grown for this purpose, while such substances as the fibre obtained from the coco-nut are extensively worked up for the purpose in England. The bristles used for making into the softer kinds of paint brushes, are extensively grown in England in great glass houses, beins made from what is called "hair moss " This is beautiful .soft fctuff "which greatly resembles mouse fur, only it is longer. The original home of this, substance is Per.'ia, but it grows well in England if properly treated. It has to be well • «i.pplied with a cold gravy, produced from stewed bones. The growing of the moss is a very delicate business us it requires the sei-vices of experts. Then the smell arising from it is extremely unpleasant, and has serious effects upon many individuals Until «i person becomes used to it, this produces soreness of die eyes and mucous membranes, causing what corresponds to a severe cold, accompanied by violent headaches. The atmosphere of the hot-house must bo regulated in such a way that the temperature is close upon 78 degrees, never rising or falling more than three degrees beyond this temperature. Even a, slight deviation will result in i.he production of a coarse-textured hair, which is valueless for most purposes for which it is required. The moss is clipped about once a fortnight, growing at prodigious rate. After it is cut it has to be dried very «srefiilly. This is. managed by loosely spreading; it over large water-baths consisting of iron tubes or slabs within which hot water circulates. The resulting product has a high market vslue, as a very small brush no thicker than a pencil will be sold on the retail market at about half a guinea. Very few brushes now are made from the substance after which they are , named. Thus the camel's hair brush is made from the delicate hairs obtained from the soft-furred squirrel; indeed !,ha camePs hair is far too coarse for Ihe purpose The best kind of hair is that obtained from the bushy tails, oach of which will provide material for a dozen brushes. Coarser brushes are made from the long ear-tufts. Then the long hairs at the end of the tails of weasels and stoats make excellent fine r>aint brushes, these retailing at about five shillings each. £ome varieties of cats yield hair which is much sought after in the nianufacttire of brushes. As a rule the cat &kins are imported from Russia. Of course, the finest bristles are those obtained from the pig, as these are a long way superior to any other, kinds. Enormous quantities of bristles are imported into England. While the •' larger portion could never be produced in England, owing to climatic conditions, still a large quantity of British imports could bo grown in England if people would only turn their attention to a-.profitable industry. The quality of pig bristles depends fit the length, stiffness, straightness -and colour, <white being the most valu- , (| f«ble. The stoutest kinds are hot made into brushes, but are sold to shoeirakera In order to produce the best pig bristles it is customary for the growers to take special care to produce a good crop.. A particular variety of pigs are bred, which, when youne:, are lathered and shaved twice a week. After they have boen treated so for about a year, the hair is allowed to grow, special care r>eing taken that the pigs are not allowed to wallow, being kept so that Mie bristles may not become too coarse. As a result of this treatment the . pigs, when tlio hair is allowed to grow, become covered with a, den so mass of plastic bristles of great length. As soon as the hair is full grown the pig is tied down, and is then shorn. It is given a good shave, and in a.bout three weeks' time it will be ready for the shears again, having a botter crop than before. ■ Caro has to be tnkrMi that the animals do not become too fat. in order that their thatel: may b« of the lx>st kind. It may be mentioned that the host pig-hair will easily fetch £15 a crate. "While at the present time pigrearing; ia a highly profitable industry, owing to the shortage of the pork supply in the United States, still about I he most remunerative branch is rearing pio-s for bristles and not for pork. The best bristles of all are those coming from Russia. The Russian hog is a lone snare animal, and it is invariably the case that the thinner the animal is longer and stiff or the bristles When this same hog is sent to the so^th ,md fattened, its bristles ut. once become soft and practically valueless. Russian hoo;s nvo drivoTi in herds throngh forests." While feeding on the soft roots tlioy shed tVefr bristles by rubbing them against, the trees, in the manner pigs have. These shed bristles are then cr.refullv collected, and are ih<*n' j>v»wn un in horse or ox hides, eventually finding their way to England.