WIEE AND WIRE GOODS. 



167 



The manufacture of combs and ti-eddles for weaving looms is also related to 

 that of wire goods; this kind of work is chiefly centred in the governments of Mos- 

 cow and Vladimir, where, as is generally known, cotton weaving is largely devel- 

 oped. The production of the largest establishments of the kind, situated in Moscow 

 and Ivanovo-Vosnesensk, according to existing data may be flxed at 100,000 roubles 

 per annum. 



The total value of the output of wire and wire goods may be placed at about 

 22,000,000 roubles yearly. The value of import of wire wares for the years 1884 to 

 1892 is shown in the following table. 



From the above figures it may be seen that, although the demands for wire 

 and wire goods has constantly increased, the general total of the import has de- 

 creased since 1880, especially that of iron and steel wares: therefore, the require- 

 ments of Russia for the goods of this category are largely supplied by the 

 home production the value of which is ten times that of the imported wares. If the 

 import be compared with the home production with regard to the quantity or 

 weight the result will be still more favourable to the home manufacture. However, 

 the import of brass wire and goods has constantly increased of late, as can be 

 explained by the defects of the tariff covering this kind of goods; in 1891 the tariff 

 was changed and its beneficial results will soon be seen. 



The manufacture of pins, needles and screws may also be considered as related 

 to wire goods. The making of pins in Russia never formed a prominent branch of 

 trade; even as a household industry it has never been widely spread, but was chiefly 

 centred in the trade establishments of the larger towns. The production of pins and 

 hairpins was formerly rather considerable in Moscow and in some of the villages of 

 the Moscow government in the district of Serpoukhov and Podolsk, so that the impor 



