COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 49 



has made u good bargain because be pays, it may be, 3 to 5 couts less 

 per yard to Mr. A than Mr. B asks for what he thinks the same 

 quality of goods. In such a method of doing business, while all would 

 say the buyer is certainly tricked, some would only ascribe to the 

 manufacturer and seller a little sharp practice for promoting trade; 

 others would, boldly assert tbat such a proceeding is a dishonesty and 

 an injustice which they could by no means countenance, much less 

 engage in. 



In commercial business, as in any other line of life, the manner of 

 dealing depends upon the man. In some cases and in all countries 

 there are men who are square dealers under any and all circumstances. 

 In other cases, and in all countries, too, more move along the line of 

 circumstances, using the same instruments as they inove that their 

 competitors employ, or better or worse ones to promote their interests 

 and support their families, and have as full a share as possible in the 

 enjoyments of life. 



DESIGNS AND PATTERNS. 



Variety designs or patterns are really a necessity for a merchant to 

 have in this country, or at least this province. The greater the variety 

 of designs o? patterns of prints displayed for sale by the merchant the 

 greater his trade, other things being equal, and the better pleased the 

 purchaser. 



The designs and patterns are nearly all devised in Paris. The Man- 

 chester printer or manufacturer purchases different sets which he puts 

 into work to make sample pieces if not getting orders at once from the 

 designs and from the sample pieces, he distributes patterns to his 

 customers. 



This South American trade has been so long in the hands of English, 

 French, and German manufacturers, they understand just what these 

 people need and want, and if they don't know, the English, French, and 

 German houses established here will not fail to keep them posted. 



To institute a comparison in the cost of, say, English cotton textiles 

 and American, as here called, is difficult, because so few American cot- 

 ton goods are imported. The only real exception is as given above in 

 the case of blue drills. In these the United States has practically 

 shut out English blue drills, as well as those from any other country. 

 And why? Because they are just what the people want the people 

 that use them while the merchant imports them because he can sell 

 them. Now what has been done and is being done in blue drills by our 

 manufacturers can be done in other lines can be done in white drills, 

 prints, etc. In other words, in order to find a market for our goods 

 here, our manufacturers must make goods that will meet the require- 

 ments of the people, goods that are suitable for their needs and will 

 strike their fancy as well. A cheap article having a good and a showy 

 appearance is much more appreciated and is much more readily pur- 

 608A 4 



