104 



Britain, which is regrettable as we could supply the Spanish market on 

 as equally favourable conditions as other countries". 



Manufacture of Hardwoods. 



The following shows what might be done with any or all of Jamaica 

 hardwoods, also from Mr. Ooetlogon's Report : — 



The Charleston Hardwood Manufacturing Company was started on 

 a small scale in April, 1897, for the manufacture of shuttle blocks, for 

 use in cotton mills. The factory is now a thoroughly well equipped 

 establishment, and is furnished with the lastest improvements ; it is 

 run bv the largest electric motor in the city, and has been pronounced 

 by experts to be one of the best factories of its kind in the country. 

 The first shipment made from this mill was a sample order of 8,000 

 shuttle blocks shipped to Liverpool, which were reported by the con- 

 signee to be the best blocks he had received from America. 



The dogwood * and persimmon trees which grow freely in the 

 Southern forests, supply a close and finely grained article for making 

 these shuttles, and it is stated that there are orders enough now in hand 

 to keep the factory going for five 3-ears. Although the capital of the 

 company is quite moderate, it gives employment to numbers of 

 hands engaged all over the lower country in cutting dogwood 

 and persimmon trees. The labour employed at the factory in the 

 city consists of expert hands, brought here for the purpose. As 

 the work requires great nicety and skill, it is long before the 

 ordinary hand can learn the business. None of the blocks made here 

 have been sold in America, the orders having come entirely from 

 abroad. Eight different sizes of blocks have been shipped, so far, 

 varying from 12-J to 23 inches in length. 



The wood is brought here in the rough state, in sizes of abou* 

 cord wood dimensions, 2, 4, and 8 feet in length, and not less at the 

 small end than 5 inches in diameter. It must be freed from knots and 

 other blemishes, as the inspection is very strict. 



The refuse wood from the manufactured articles make excellent fuel 

 for use in stoves or grates. Many persons in Charleston discarded coal 

 last year, and used in its place this rejected wood, as it is very clean 

 making a hot fire with little ash. 



There is also a factory for making shuttles at Westminster, South 

 Carolina, which started with a capital of about 1,500 dol., and is re- 

 ported to have been quite successful. 



These two factories are small, but being without competitors in the 

 State, their establishment and growth are being watched with interest 

 on account of the benefits likely to arise from their possible future 

 development. 



* Dogwoods of Southern United States are species of Cornus. Persim - 

 mon (the wild kind) is Diospyros Virginiana. Ed. Bulletin. 



