COMMERCIAL USES. Since the introduction of the steel pen and the disappearance of the quill from correspondence, the chief eonuner•ial use of feathers other than adornment has been the stuf fing of beds, cushions, and quilts. The introduc tion of the quill toothpick followed as a result of the abandonment of the quill for Writing. M. Dardin, of Paris, raised annually two million geese for the purpose of supplying the quills for writing. The substitution of the steel pen threat ened to overwhelm hint in disaster; and, in seeking for some other use for quills, he hit upon the toothpick.
For upholstery purposes feathers are consid ered valuable because of their lightness and elas ticity. The best combination is that, of goose and aquatic feathers. The feathers are plucked in the springtime from the living bird, as these are cleaner and more wholesome than those plucked from dead birds. The feathers of the
cider-duck would be the best of all, except for their property of matting. They are therefore more desirable for quilts than for mattresses. When chicken-feathers are used in combination with those of swans, ducks, and geese, the feathery portion is plucked from the quill in order to insure a uniform softness. The feathers are pre pared by being subjected to a powerful drying process in a heated compartment. They arc then shaken thoroughly. Otherwise they would be likely to breed disease and vermin. Even care fully prepared, they are no longer regarded as the most hygienic mattresses. and the use of hair has become quite general in their stead. Germany, Russia, and France are the chief coun tries engaged in feather-raising.