The Arkansas Advocate

Palm Leaf Hats.—This description of hats, which have recently come into extensive use in this city and elsewhere, are manufactured to a surprising extent in New England, but principally in Massachusetts. A gentleman, who deals extensively in them, informs us that the manufacturing of them commenced in 1826 in consequence of the encouragement afforded by the duty laid on imported Leghorn straw, and grass hats. It is believed that, in this year alone, upwards of two millions of hats will be made, the average value of which is about three dollars a dozen, amounting to half a million of dollars. In Worcester county it is supposed half the quantity above stated will be made.—The leaf is imported from the Island of Cuba; last year six hundred tons, worth fifty thousand dollars, was received. The hats are all made at the dwellings of the inhabitants, by girls from four years old and upward, are then sold to the country merchants, who collect them together and send them to the Boston, New York, and other markets.

They are made of every quality, varying from 25 cts. to $2.00 each, and suited to the man of fashion or the laborer. This is another instance of the enterprise and industry of the New England people, who are enabled to commence the manufacture of a new article, from which they are greatly enriching themselves, and furnishing the public with a cheaper and better commodity than they had before received.