In the ribbon manufacture the labour is nearly the same for the richer as for tho inferior goods, the difference consisting principally in tho silk of which they are made. Cheap ribbons are generally made by reducing the warp silk, which is the most expeusive, and making up the bulk of the ribbon with ? larger proportion of the cheaper Amok There are certain small wares which may be briefly noticed here, midway in character between cords and ribbons, and yet more complex than either. These are gimps, twists, fringes, chenille*, Ste. ; in which the results are produced in some few canes by a kind of weaving, but much more frequently by a twisting or looping process. Complicated ma chines are needed for the production of such goods ; and many patents have been obtained for inventions tending to this end. In ono con• trivance, a looping.machine invented by Messrs. and Wilkins, while one arrangement In /suitable for the making of stockings and gloves, another in intended for the making of braids, several at a time and of one, or of /several patterns. A third modification of the same
apparatus enables the manufacturers to plate or covor any cheap kind of thread with thread of a better sort. A machine invented by Messrs, Hughes and Denham is intended equally for the making of fancy, ribbon, fringe, chenille, trimmings, and gimps. There is no actua wearing process adopted, but the appearance of the goods is somewhat u if woven. The apparatua is very complex, consisting of many part spinning round each other. A ground thread is sometimes formed a wire covered with cloth, or of narrow strips of stiff paper ; and thr machine will cover the with silken thread. Ornamental trimming may be made by feeding the machine with stripe of tarlatan, muslin silk, or quilling u a ground, and then winding silk thread round them Wire groundwork may be used for making chenille ; and mine] adjustments will furnish the means for making an almost cndlea variety of fancy goods.