FLAX. lIKAri' AND JL'TE GOODS. 37 



quite able to eoinpete with the foreign manufacturers of linen of niciliinii fineness, 

 which finds in general a most ready sale. The import of foreign gnods is limited 

 to an inconsiderable quantity of specially fine wares. Although the manufacture of 

 this hitter class of goods is also making progress of late years in Eussia. thanks 

 especially to the good results of the initiative and cooperation of the Agricultural 

 and Farming Department in cultivating high class fine fibres, still in reality this 

 import does not matei'ially injure the interests of the Russian trade, because there is 

 such a limited demand for such goods that it would iiot be very advantageous to 

 manufacture them at lionie. The raw matei'ial being fur the greater part suitable for 

 textile fabrics of medium fineness, it is best for the Russian mills to keep to that 

 quality which can be made cheaper than in any other country, and as the universal 

 ■demand for them is enormcus the sale of Russian goods has eveiy chance of increasing 

 abroad. 



The manufacture of hempen and jute goods continues to keep pace with the in- 

 •creasing demand for them, and in any case the supply is at present quite equal to the 

 internal demand. 



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