Cut the plume portions of the feathers from the stem, by means of ordinary hand-scissors. The former are placed in quantities in a coarse bag, which, when full, is closed and subjected to a thorough kneading with the hands. At the end of five minutes, the feathers become disaggregated and felted together, forming a down perfectly homogeneous and of great lightness. It is even lighter than natural eider-down, because the latter contains the ribs of the feathers, which give extra weight. About l.6 troy ounces of this down can be obtained from the feathers of an ordinary-sized pallet. It is suggested that, through the winter, children might collect all the feathers about a farm, and cut the ribs out as we have stated. By the spring-time, a large quantity of down would be prepared, which could be disposed of to upholsterers, or employed for domestic uses. Goose-feathers may be treated in a similar manner, and thus two thirds of the product of the bird utilized, instead of only about one fifth, as is at present the case. The chicken-down is said to form a beautiful cloth when woven. For about a square yard of the material, a pound and a half of down is required. The fabric is said to be almost indestructible, as, in place of fraying or wearing out at folds, it only seems to fell the tighter. It takes dye readily, and Is thoroughly water-proof.