62 



PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



manufacturing purposes are constructed at Sarenthem, and the felt 

 at Liege and at Virginal. 



There is only one factory in existence which makes paper by 

 hand at the charge of the Belgian Government. In all the other 

 factories, the "machines continues" are used. 



The number of mills, as before stated, is thirty-three, and the out- 

 put of the same for the year ended December 31, 1898, was as follows: 



Of the amounts given in the above table, about half are exported 

 and the rest consumed in the country itself. 



Steam power is generally employed, and the methods and proc- 

 esses of manufacture are modern. 



Apparently, the methods of manufacturing are improving and 

 the production is likely to increase. 



WAGES. 



At nearly every paper mill, labor is remunerated in proportion to 

 its producing power. A certain amount of waste in the process of 

 manufacture is always presumed and calculated upon, and the work- 

 man receives a premium estimated upon the value of the waste he 

 prevents, and is subject to a reduction of his wages in proportion to 

 the excess of waste caused by him. 



Taking into consideration the fact as above stated, the average 

 cost of labor in the principal mills may be stated to be as follows for 

 a day of ten hours' work : 



