Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1898 — American Banting. [ARTICLE]

American Banting.

Imperativerequisitions by the government authorities for the production of bunting for navy flags are what insure the superiority so well known to characterize the American article. The regulations prescribe that the fabric be made entirely of wool of the best quality, and show no imperfections, the weight to be five and one-fourth pounds avoirdupois per piece of forty yards of ten-inch width, the yarn to be evenly spun, the warp and filling to contain no less than thirty-four threads to the inch, and the warp two ply with oneply filling, properly twisted; further, a tensile strength is required of sixtyfive pounds for the warp and forty-five pounds for the filling, in test pieces two inches wide. The colors must be as “fast” as it is possible to make them, and not liable to be seriously affected by being soaked continuously for twenty-four hours In fresh water, and then thoroughly washed in water with which is combined a good grade of laundry soap. Every stripe and device on the flags made of this superb material is measured with the most perfect geometrical accuracy, and the stars are put on so carefully and evenly that when the flag is held up to the light, the stars, which are made of muslin and put on both sides, appear to be a part of the fabric. The stars are cut with chisels out of bleached muslin laid thirty thicknesses together on a large open block.