286 CARPET MANUFACTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



factory one. It is especially a more favorable political outlook ana 

 an advance of the prices of raw jute, which have a stimulating influ- 

 ence upon business. As a consequence, yarns of jute forming the main 

 material of the carpets manufactured in this district experienced an 

 upward tendency, and a greater activity is the result. The increased 

 demand is also ascribed to the fact that the jute spinning mills are in the 

 possession of incorporated companies, well provided with capital, and 

 which by agreement manage and regulate the yarn being brought into 

 the market in such quantities and at such prices as to insure good 

 profits. While thus high dividends are paid by these establishments, 

 a complaint being made by the carpet manufacturers is the moderate 

 profit, which however is only justified in so far as the extensive and 

 steadily growing field of competition reduced the former high margin 

 of profit. From a long experience and close observation I can state 

 that the wealth of the manufacturers generally is continually and mater- 

 ially increasing. Besides I am informed on good authority that ordin- 

 ary carpets yield a profit from 6 to 12. and superior articles from 10 to 

 15 per cent, which is doubtlessly a fair standard of profit. 



GRADES OF CARPETS PRODUCED. 



As regards the grades of carpets produced, the inferior qualities form 

 the bulk, and it is stated that only one-fourth of the entire output con- 

 sists of superior grades. The principal article, and embracing about 

 oue-half of the whole production in this region, are so-called "Laeufer- 

 stoffe" (stair carpets), a texture of none but jute yarns, and sold in a 

 width from 25 ^to 35 inches at 35 pfennigs (8J cents) up to 1.20 marks 

 (29 cents) per meter (39.37 inches). Next to it, and constituting about 

 one fourth of the entire fabrication, stands a specialty named "Gerrna- 

 nia," a manufacture composed of jute, cotton, and shoddy, varying from 

 51 to 79 inches in width and from 57 to 102 inches in length, and sell- 

 ing at from 7 marks ($1.67) to 14 marks ($3.33) a piece. The remainder 

 consists of Brussels, velvets, and tournays, costing, according to size 

 and quality, from about 20 marks ($4.76) to 80 marks ($19.04) per piece. 

 Table-covers, hearth rugs, sofa covers, and shoe findings form also a part 

 of the production, arid it is especially the first-named article which finds 

 an extensive and remunerative sale. 



The jute yarns entering so largely into the carpets of this district are 

 supplied by two of the leading German spinning mills at Triebes and 

 Meissen. They are spun from No. to No. 7, and, according to a price- 

 list of August 15, ultimo, vary in prices from 47J marks ($11.30) for 

 No. J to f of lowest grade up to 60 marks ($14.28) per 100 kilograms 

 (224 American pounds) for No. 7 of best quality. In case the yarns are 

 twisted an addition is made from 95 cents to $1.42. A discount of 2 

 per cent, is allowed for cash. Cotton yarns and shoddy are supplied 

 by Saxony and England. 



