Jan. 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE SILK INDUSTRY OF BALE. 275 



Balois, aud demand of their Government a rigid protection for such 

 patterns. But no official protection would he of any avail ; the only 

 result would be that the French Government would inevitably aim a 

 blow at their own industry. The patterns which the Bale people are 

 accused of borrowing from the French are just, as much their own pro- 

 perty as that of the French. The Balois procure a great many of them direct 

 from Paris, where they have their own designers, as well as the French 

 manufacturers, and frequently the same persons work for both parties. 

 Besides, the native designers are continually improving, and endeavour- 

 ing to furnish even more beautiful and elegant patterns, notwithstand- 

 ing their dependence upon the leading fashions at Paris. 



Latterly great importance has been attached to the preparation of 

 the raw material. The finest qualities of silk were procured and used 

 by the French ; this is one reason why they have maintained their 

 superiority in the richest ribbon patterns. The Bale industry has there- 

 fore to direct its particular attention to the manufacture of a fine article 

 from the ordinary and fine sorts. This is effected by careful spinning 

 and throwing. Whilst formerly they had no throwing establishments 

 at all, several manufacturers now throw their own silk themselves. The 

 advantage is thereby gained' that this operation is done more skilfully 

 and accurately than by the silk cultivators. They endeavour to pur- 

 chase the cocoons themselves, and to spin them off by improved methods, 

 which gives greater uniformity to the thread. The working up of the 

 raw silk, the throwing and winding, is beginning to be executed on the 

 most extensive scale, and by the most perfect machinery. A new branch 

 of industry is thereby obtained, and an adequate return secured by the 

 improvement of the raw material. 



With regard to the sale of the staple, it is impossible to give any 

 exact statements, as the general relations have considerably varied 

 during the last three years. The first and most natural, because the 

 nearest, market was in neighbouring Germany. Then, those countries 

 whose demands are entirely or in part supplied by German houses, such 

 as Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Galicia, Turkey, and 

 Greece. The next important markets are those of North America and 

 England ; less so France, Central and South America. Almost 

 unsupplied are the markets of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, which may be 

 accounted, for by the smaller consumption in these countries. The 

 average may be as follows : — 



Per cent. 



Germany 38 



North American and Great Britain . . 44 



France 10 



Other countries 8 



In conclusion, the four following reasons may be given as the basis 

 on which lies the greater producing power, and the superiority of Bale 

 to other places : — 



