OF THE COUNTY OF DOWN. 225 



SECT. 5. Commerce. 



THE exports of the county of Down are few in 

 number, but very valuable. They confift of linen in 

 all its branches, from the fineft cambrics to the coarfe 

 Hillfborough fix hundreds , which are fent away with- 

 out any improvement, as they come from the weaver's 

 hand. A confiderable number of pieces of muflin were 

 fent, before the check that trade met with, to Dublin ; 

 but thefe, I believe, were moftly for the confumption 

 of the kingdom. Butter alfo forms one of our principal 

 exports ; this is carried in cafks to Newry and Belfaft, 

 and fold to the exporting merchants. The quantity of 

 this is very great ; the quality of late much improved, 

 fo as to be able to meet that from other countries with 

 credit. Pork alfo is another regular article of com- 

 merce, fold at and exported from the fame places. 

 There is alfo in plentiful feafons a market for grain 

 likewife for exportation ; and a regular coafting trade. 

 for wheat, barley, and malt is carried on from Strang- 

 ford, Downpatrick, and Killough. At Bangor and 

 ' Killileagh, wheat and barley are bought up for the 

 merchants of Belfafl and other ports ; raw hides, and 

 dried calves fkins, befides a number of other articles of 

 lefs importance. 



c g SECT. 



