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6

5 To conduct the work of this section in a creditable manner, a certain number of books of reference are absolutely required.  The only work that can be done without books is preparing specimens for exhibition, and even this, without a system of classification, is only practicable [[strikethrough]] up [[/strikethrough]] to a [[illegible strikethrough]] limited extent. 
   The food collections will be arranged upon the scheme worked out by yourself.  The system for textiles requires much further study.  The routine work of preparing the specimens now in the Museum requires, from the acting curator, an expenditure of time which might be used to much better advantage for the Museum, if an assistant or preparator were appointed to work in the textiles division.  It would then be possible to devote more time to study, and the perfection of the classification, the preparation of labels, and to what is, in fact, the most important part of the curator's duties.
   The exhibition of a series of food-stuffs becomes of value only when the specimens are named and explained.  The same may be said of every other set of specimens.  But to write labels requires more knowledge than any person can posses without access to books of reference.  In the textiles division, however, a kind of knowledge is required which cannot be acquired from books alone.  It would be of great advantage to the section if the acting curator could spend a short time visiting some of the large spinning