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GENERAL REPORT OF THE JUDGES OF GROUP IX. But the most notable improvement is the absolutely successful achievement of weaving the very highest class of dress gros-grains, black and colored, by power. This has been accomplished by the Messrs. Simon, at Union, New Jersey, about fifteen miles from Pater son. Mr. Simon, educated as a civil engineer in the technical schools of Europe, has combined the various improvements observed by him abroad and in this country into an automatic loom ; upon which, with the attendance of a boy of twelve or fourteen years old, sixteen yards of broad gros-grain silks may be woven per day,—the cost being eleven cents per yard. The production of eighty looms in this estab lishment has this average. We are assured that no first-class goods are woven abroad by power. These goods can therefore be made more cheaply here than at Lyons. These looms, with their products, won the admiration of our associate, Mr. Gebhard, who remarked “ that he had never seen such goods made upon power-looms, and had no idea that such work could be performed automatically.” Silk Braids, Trimmings, and Laces.—This department of the silk- manufacture employed in 1876 two thousand seven hundred and fifty- three operatives; more than three-fifths were women. The founder of this branch of industry in the United States—if, indeed, he may not claim to be the pioneer of the industry as a whole—was William H. Horstmann, who, having learned the trade of silk-weaving in France, established himself in Philadelphia, in 1815, as a manufacturer of silk trimmings. In 1824 he introduced from Germany the use of plaiting-or braiding-machines; and, in 1825, the use of the first Jacquard loom employed in this country. By means of the various improvements introduced by him and his successors, his sons and grandsons, the house of William H. Horstmann & Sons has become one of the largest in the silk-manufacture now existing in this coun try. Its vast warehouses and sale-rooms in Philadelphia bewilder the eye with the number and variety of fabrics; including, indeed, the whole range of narrow textile fabrics,—bindings, braids, fringes, dress trimmings, coach and military equipments, theatrical goods, gold and silver laces, and embroideries. Two other large houses in Philadel- _ phia, viz., J. C. Graham and Homer, Colladay, & Co., vie with the older house in the production of this class of goods. Their houses were established about 1850. These manufacturers have most con tributed to give Philadelphia its reputation as the chief seat of the general manufacture of trimmings in the United States. In New York, the present house of J. Maidhoff & Co. was established in the manufacture of dress trimmings in 1849. In this city, Louis Franke is also prominently identified with the manufacture of silk fringes,