in stripe
is usually ornamented with well-defined designs of small flowers and
leaves, arranged with a square effect. The other borders are generally
floral, while the zigzag water motif encloses the field. The apex of the
mihrab or niche runs high in the Ghiordes rug. A silk fringe often
finishes the top. One collector in Constantinople has many very fine and
rare specimens. He began to collect Ghiordes rugs years ago, before the
value of the rug became generally known. The modern rugs are very
coarse, and have no resemblance to the old ones.

_Hereke_ rugs receive their name from the village about forty miles from
Constantinople, on the Gulf of Ismid, where the Sultan has established
the imperial factories and a school of art. About four hundred young
women, mostly Greeks, are here actively employed in weaving rugs in silk
and wool. His Imperial Majesty is anxious to give employment to the
village girls, and takes much interest in this industry, which was
started about fifteen years ago. The rugs are reproductions, for the
most part, of famous antiques belonging to the Sultan. In 1898 Emperor
William of Germany visited this factory. After his return home the
Sultan sent him a large number of Hereke rugs. In 1902, during one of my
sojourns in Berlin, I was permitted by the courtesy extended to me by
the court official in charge of these rugs to see the entire collection
arranged in one section of the Palace. Beside the magnificent antique
Persian rugs belonging to the Imperial House of Germany these modern
Turkish rugs were startling in color; but the texture was fine, and time
will, of course, subdue the glowing colors, which are now often softened
in the Western markets by a washing process known to certain firms. Old
mohair rugs are also being reproduced at the Hereke factory with good
results. Great attention is paid in all these rugs to exactness of
detail in reproduction.

_Kara-Geuz_ rugs are mostly of the runner order, with mixed designs and
fugitive colors.

_Karaman_ has a considerable trade with Smyrna. Its rugs are coarse,
loosely woven, and not at all attractive.

_Kir-Shehr_ rugs are made in the province of Angora. Because of their
durability and thickness they are both useful and desirable. Their
colorings are rather strong, but fine; green is the most usual color,
although red and blue are frequent. The designs are mostly of Arabic
origin, and quite highly decorative.

_Konieh_ rugs are of great w