Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1896 — MANUFACTURE OF CANES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MANUFACTURE OF CANES.

Grown, Bolted, Warped, Klred, Polished and Ornamented. The manufactures of canes reveals an interesting process connected with a growing industry. There are «everaT large factories in Philadelphia and some in New York. These have Recently been established. The cane is grown mostly in Austria, France and Japan. There are numerous species, among which are the Congo, Corine, Penang, Bamboo, Furze, Whampoo and the Welschel. Many canes are partly shaped while growing. At the manufactory the crude canes are placed over a large steam vat Cloths are wrapped over the sticks and they are left in this position until the wood has become perfectly soft and pliable at the end, where it is intended to form the handle. Having reached this condition, they are taken out separately and placed In a vise, around a mold of whatever shape It is desired to make

the curl. While the cane Is grasped, tightly in the vise, the upper end is placed in a steel spring having a castiron handle, which is drawn sharply around, warping the cane at this point into the precise shape desired. When taken out of the vise the handle Is tied with cord, to prevent it from straightening out to its original shape. After it has lain for some days in this condition and the curl is permanently formed, the cane is thoroughly scubbed in a hot water bath. The next step is to either put it in the stain box or to finish it in some other desired manner. In the staining process quite a degree of skill is required, because if the cane is colored in a tasteful shade it will meet with a readier sale. . To achieve this result the mixing of adds and color in the staining compound must be very delicately done. Some of the canes, instead of being stained by a liquid, are “fired.”- This operation is performed by moving the cane backward and forward in a gas jet flame, elongated by means of a blower, which forces a current of air through It. The work has to be done very carefully by hand, so that the heat produces a uniform effect upon the wood. Then the cane is ready either for varnishing or polishing by chemical process, whichever it may be. After It is polished the cane goes Into the hands of a trimmer, who prepares it for whatever additional ornamentation it is to receive. The handle Is then carefully shaved down to fit

the silver plate, which will be soldered onto it, and the foot is shaped ready for the ferrule. After this manipulation the cane goes to the finishing department, where the silversmiths put ou whatever trimmings are required.

"FIRING" A CANE.

THE FERRULING.