But the manufacture of corks and of all these other articles involves waste, and waste to an extent little dreamed of. In producing corks, for instance, fully sixty-five per cent of the raw material which started out on its journey through the factory may be found later in the form of scrap at the blocking and tapering machines; but even in this mutilated state the bark is still valuable, and after proper treatment in the Pittsburgh plant, or one of the other factories of the Company, appears in the form of numerous by-products of great value and importance. As a matter of fact, nothing is wasted; even the smallest particles are utilized. Large quantities of scrap are ground up, sifted, and made into composition cork with the aid of suitable binders. From “Suberit,” as the finest variety of this material is termed--light, close grained, and tough, without the large pores of the natural cork--table mats to be placed under hot dishes, pin cushions, fishing line floats, polishing wheels, and instrument handles are manufactured; while from “Acme,” a somewhat coarser grade, are made insoles, bath mats, washers, gaskets, and entomological cork--thin sheets for mounting insects. [Illustration: Keg Corks] [Illustration: Plasterer’s Float] [Illustration: Hand Cut Corks, A Grade] [Illustration: Cork Carburetor Floats] Part of the waste is reduced to the form of cork shavings and used to stuff mattresses and boat cushions, for packing eggs and other fragile articles, and in making cork floor tiling. This material is manufactured in three shades of brown, and its warmth of tone and delicately mottled and veined appearance give it a distinctive charm peculiarly its own. Smooth and soft as velvet to the touch, cork tiling is nevertheless firm and resilient and able to stand years of hard service. Thousands of square feet have been installed in hotels, libraries, museums, clubs, and private residences. [Illustration: Hand Cut Corks, C Grade] Cork flour is another by-product, and is manufactured from the waste bark by much the same method as that employed in grinding wheat. This beautiful light brown dust is one of the chief constituents of high grade linoleum. In the Company’s plant at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, thousands of yards of this material are produced every day. [Illustration: Mooring and Anchoring Buoys] [Illustration: Jar, Mustard, and Shell Corks] [Illustration: Ring Buoy] [Illustration: Life-Preserver]