Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 142, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1904 — Boys Gather Cat Tail. [ARTICLE]

Boys Gather Cat Tail.

/ For the past ten days the Kankakee marsh has been alive with men and boys who are rambling through the thickets in search of cat tail. The down or tbe pubescence of tbe plant is removed by drawing the stock through a V shaped iron which is fastened between two stakes. A large gunny sack fastened to receive the product when it is removed. The down finds a ready sale in Chicago where it is used in the place of feathers in fancy pillows. The work of gathering cat tail flag is not considered an easy task, although there are a few workmen that maka from two to four dollars a day.—Hebron News.