VILLAGE INDUSTRIES 291 



county, that is Sussex — an unindustrial county, if there is one- 



prompted by a rather interesting exhibition which we had just held, 

 of works of art and industry, on something like a forlorn hope, 

 namely, to discover industrial enterprises in a distinctly agricultural 

 and villa county, I found enough small local industries with accounts 

 of which to fill a tolerably well-sized little book.* If such life could 

 still be discovered in a dry tree, what is there not likely to exist 

 in a green, if we can make the revivifying spring return ? 



That is, however, talking of " small industries " in general. We 

 are here concerned only with a special branch of them, that is, such 

 as can be carried on, more or less, as by-industries to agriculture 

 in rural parts. Unquestionably it will be a gain to country districts 

 if other industry as well, be it large or small, employing practically 

 the whole time of those engaged in it, finds its way more generally 

 into them. To bring that about is one of the objects pursued by 

 the promoters of garden cities. And one may heartily wish their 

 enterprise success — though undoubtedly that must threaten rural 

 employers, who are already sufficiently burdened on this score, with 

 a growing wage bill. More people on the spot under such conditions 

 will mean more life. Rural factory workers may be expected to 

 raise not a little of the agricultural produce that they require for 

 themselves. Nevertheless their presence promises to provide on 

 the whole a brisker market. Social life is likely to gain in animation 

 and variety ; and there is likely to be more scope for the develop- 

 ment of higher education. Non-garden factories set up in the country 

 will bring some of the same benefits, though not, perhaps, the same 

 spirit. In both cases, however, the effect produced will be one 

 rather of the ruralising of urban life than the vivifying of rural. 



Industries taken up as more or less whole-time occupations for 

 dwellers in the country in their own homes, or in a factory as 

 their main bread- winning employment, will likewise bring gain to 

 country districts. We have a brilliant example of how they may 

 be organised and carried to triumphant success, on lines which 

 absolutely preclude " sweating " and secure to the workers the full 

 reward for their toil, in the instance of Templecrone, in Ireland. 

 The story of this enterprise is richly worth telling. It shows what 

 may be accomplished, even amid unpromising surroundings and 

 among untrained village folk by a determined will aided by a little 

 nous. 



The district of Dungloe is by nature one of the most distress- 

 ridden in Ireland, a land of nothing but bare rocks and apparently 



* " Sussex Industries." Sussex Advertiser, Lewes. 1883. 



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