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Show ,' About i'lanoel, Apropos of the approaching snmrhew oiioti aud the- q.uintilycf ttantit'l tlv will be worn, by both uuenwid wouicu, as it will be far morj fashionable than ever liefore. some interesting information informa-tion concerning the shrinking of the material ma-terial was given the other day by a prominent manufacturer. Ho said that little of tho flannel used in the manufacture of tennis suits was produced in this country, us the factory owners up to tho present time have found it unprofitable. Cheap Ihiuml, however, an imitation of tho Lnglish article, ar-ticle, is made all over the United States, and where possible it is sold us the genuine gen-uine article. "Practically, all of tho white flannel used," said he, "in the making ( f flannel flan-nel suits for tennis, cricket and other outdoor costumes is imported from England. Eng-land. Only the best qualities aro used by reputable dealers, and the best qualities quali-ties are all subjected to a shrinking process pro-cess unknown in tho manufacture of common goods. Tho reason for this is that the flannels require more cleaning than any other material while in the tailor's hands. Cheap flannels would warp and draw all out of shape the moment mo-ment the wearer happens to wet them. "The shrinking process is carried on mostly in the West Lml of London by the most experienced cloth workers. "The flannels are placed between heavy wet sheets first, and left in that position from twenty-four to thirty-six hours. When removed they are spread out on specially prepared rails in a drying dry-ing room heated by hot steam pipes, whero they aro allowed to reuiuiu until thoroughly dry. "The next process is to place the lengths of the flannel in fold? .between layers of glossy paper and imbjocteil to a pressing by hydraulic machines. "The more pressure they are subjected to the more valuable aud heavier the flannel becomes. "There is a largo sale of the cheap' material iu America, and fur that very reason there are so many complaints mado against flannel clothing. A cheap whito suit becomes a burden to tho purchaser pur-chaser within a week after he bus begun to wear it It loses shape, and, although mado for a largo man, after the lir.st wash it will comfortably fit a medium sized boy. "New York Herald. |