

LINEN 



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tion of linens has been found to be the weaving of a 16 0fl -web ; any fabric above that 

 4 set ' cannot well be brought out by ' power,' so as to compete with the hand-loom work. 

 The improvements recently effected in the make of the steam loom have nearly all 

 been favourable to the operatives. Stronger and better fitted-up machines are now 

 seen in factories ; for instance, a loom which a dozen years ago, and constructed for a 

 certain class of work, weighed 15 to 16 cwts., would now be brought out so much 

 heavier as to weigh 17 to 18 cwts. One effect of the improvement in gearing is to 

 give the workpeople greater facility of production ; they get through their labour with 

 more ease, and the quality of cloth is decidedly better. In the last case, however, we 

 must add that the superior class of yarns now thrown off the spindles has had much 

 to do with the order of fabric made in 1874, compared with that brought out in 1863. 

 And while thus alluding to the improvements in machinery, we must not forget to 

 add that the better mode of ventilation in mills, the care- taken ag to sanitary regu- 

 lations and the regularity of labour, have been producing a very gratifying change on 

 the physical aspect of the people connected with public works. Contrasted with the 

 appearance of the hand-loom or factory weaver of half a century since, that of his 

 successor in the present day shows a marvelloug advance in social position as well as 

 in bodily stamina. 



Exports of Linen, 1872. 



