Tnxdc a)id Coiiuiicrcc. 49 



The company nianufaclures every description of rope 

 and twine, from the largest cable for an Atlantic steamer 

 down to the finest fishing line, of which 60 fathoms weigh 

 only an ounce A prominent place among the cords is 

 assigned to those used for window-sashes. In consequence 

 of the great friction on them, they require to be made in 

 plaiting machines to resist the wear and tear. The visitor 

 will find this one of the most fascinating departments, and 

 it is wonderful to see the almost sentient way in which the 

 bobbins of thread interlace with each other while revolving 

 round the central tube, up which passes the plaited cord 

 to the bobbin on which it is wound. Another important 

 department is that devoted to binder twine for reaping 

 machines, and some of the most recent machinery has been 

 specially introduced with a view to meet the increasing 

 demand for this twine. 



One of the few processes in which machinery has not yet 

 ousted manual labour is the manufacture of nets, and 

 several hundred girls are employed by the company in this 

 department. The energy and vigour of the girls at this 

 work are wonderful, and would delight the heart of an artist 

 in figure painting. 



The section in which the balling machines are operated 

 is also most interesting, and the apartments set apart for 

 this work furnish, perhaps, a better idea of the magnitude 

 of the general business of the company than any other, as 

 here the twine is being dealt with to fit it for the various 

 markets, and the enormous scale on which this is done 

 shows how extensive are the operations carried on. 



Finally, the packing-rooms will be seen, looking to the 

 visitor more like a dock-shed than the forwarding depart- 

 ment of a single company. 



ToB.-\cco Manufacture. 

 Amongst the numerous industries of Belfast, the manu- 

 facture of tobacco occupies a leading place, and the factory 

 of Messrs. (iALLAHER, Limited, in York Street, is the 

 largest in the United Kingdom. Messrs. Gallaher's 

 old factory was in York Street, and this becoming too 

 small for their increasing business, compelled them to 



