GREAT BRITAIN. 297 



In printing' the carpets hand-stamps are used. In this operation the 

 sheet of felt having be^ii spread upon a table the printer impresses the 

 pattern from a wooden stamp covered with pigment and struck with 

 the closed hand or with a mallet. The stamps are about 12 by 14 inches 

 on the face, and the pattern is produced over the whole surface by 

 repeated applications in a continuous succession. Where, as is usually 

 the case, more than one color is required a series of stamps are imployed, 

 a separate stamp for each successive color being used to superimpose 

 its portion of the design over those already impressed upon the fabric, 

 with proper reference, of course, to the combined effect 5 the method be- 

 ing much like that in use for lithographic printing. 



In order to remedy imperfections a workman, after the stamping is 

 done, goes over the surface carefully, and where he finds the color de- 

 fective supplies the deficiency by the aid of a little trowel and some 

 extra coloring matter. 



The stamped surface is then dusted over with sawdust and the pieces 

 hung on screens, which, after being folded into comparatively small 

 compass, are shifted as they stand into a hot-air bath to dry the fabric 

 and fix the colors. 



The plain-dyed stuffs are passed through a finishing machine, where 

 a sharp revolving knife trims the surface to smoothness. 



Exclusive of the printing department, which is nearly all piece-work, 

 the Patent Woolen Cloth Company employs about two hundred and 

 fifty hands. 



Women, fillers or feeders, of whom not many are employed, earn 

 about 9*. ($2.19) per week; boys, 8s. to 15s. ($1.95 to $3.65) ; willeyers 

 and hardeners, fettlers, etc., including stackers. 18s. to 22s. or 24s. per 

 week (84.38 to $5.35 or $5.84) $ foremen, of minor importance, 28s. to 

 30s. ($6.81 to $7.30) ; skilled mechanics are paid according to merit and 

 trade usages, presumably higher rates than those mentioned. 



The company consumes about 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of material 

 weekly, which, however, is of very mixed character and indeterminate 

 from week to week in respect of value. 



F. H. WlGFALL, 



Consul. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Leeds, November 14, 1889. 



LEITH. 



i:i;r<n;T BY CONSUL WALLING. 



On careful inquiry I find that in my district there are only three 

 carpet manufactories. Their proper business addresses are: Henry 

 Widnell & Co., carpet manufacturers, Lass wade ; Henry Widneli & Co., 

 carpet manufacturers, Koslin ; Stewart Brothers, carpet manufacturers, 

 Dalkeith. 



