62 



MANUFACTUKES OF KUS^IA. 



Ill the total the cocoons have been reduced to raw silk by taking- 10 per cent 

 of their weight; the same has been done in the succeeding table. Besides this there 

 is a considerable export through the Asiatic or Transcaucasian frontier, as shown in 

 tlie next table. 



The mean value of the export during the last three years was about 

 500,000 roubles tlirough the European frontier, and 1,550,000 roubles through the 

 Asiatic, The export of silk stuffs for the period between 1888 and 1890 has averaged 

 about 1,400 ponds per annum, to the value of 554,000 roubles. The total amount 

 therefore is, on the average, about 2.600,000 roubles a year. 



On comparing the value of the import, 11,300,000 roubles, with that of the 

 export, it is found that the former is 4.33 times that of the latter; it must however 

 be recollected that the foreign goods are imported principally in the state of raw 

 material, or half-finished, as twisted silk. The import of silk stuffs does not in any 

 case amount to more than 7 or 8 per cent of the value of the native production, and 

 jnay therefore be considered very small. Nothwithstanding the good quality of the 

 Russian silk goods, they come into severe competition with those of Lyons where 

 the silk-weaving industry has attained a remarkable degree of perfection, both from 

 a technical and an artistic point of view, so that the import of fashionable French 

 silks, in spite of the high duties, must be regarded as inevitable. 



The following table, compiled from data of the Department of Trade and Manu- 

 factures, shows the silk-weaving production, including ribbons, during latter years: 



1880. 

 1881. 

 1882. 

 1883. 

 1884. 



9,129,000 roubles 1885, 



10,526,000 > 1886 



11,389,000 » 1887 



10,.509,000 » 1888, 



10.067,000 » 1889 , 



10,193,000 roubles 

 12,451,000 - 

 12,107,000 > 

 13,637,000 >^ 

 13,911,000 ;^ 



The production of brocades and galloons, which also should be added to thi> 

 in 1889 amounted to 2,060,000 roubles. 



