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Rugs of Turkey

Each rug-weaving district of Turkey seems to have a distinct and individual class of rugs; and this is not surprising, for there are a number of different tribes, each of which impresses its individuality upon the work.

The surface configuration and the climate of a place have much to do with the quality of the rugs manu­factured within it. Naturally, in the rocky, mountainous regions the flocks consist of goats instead of sheep. The sheep would be injured among the steep, sharp crags, and much of their wool would be lost, as it would adhere to the rocks.

The goats, however, being hardy, easily jump from crag to crag, sustaining no injury to their hair

The hair of the goat is woven into the mohair and so-called Smyrna rugs, and also into what is known as Paul's Tent Cloth. This last is woven quite differently from other rugs; it is the coarsest of all, and the women weave it on the ground.

To make it firm enough to keep out every drop of rain requires laborious work with the fingers, but when the cloth is woven with care it is a most excellent shelter from the storm.

A large Paul's Tent, such as a rich man owns, costs about four hundred dollars. It shelters the women of the house­hold, as well as the cattle; and one part is partitioned off for a guest-room.