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“... ."
Indian yarn shows a very large decrease, no doubt owing to Cotton goods,
the distress in Bombay. English yarn also decreased, while
Japanese largely increased. Cotton lastings and italians show a
considerable increase.
Of the drills in the list, about half were English, half American.
Of the sheetings, three quarters were English, and one quarter
Indian. American drills are gaining on English, while English
sheetings show an increase in popularity.
The products of Chinese steam cotton mills are now entering the
arena. Among native imports we find such in the shape of 75 piculs
of cotton braid, value 4,111 taels, 600 pieces of drills, value 1,470
taels, and 1,173 piculs (156,400 lbs.) of yarn, value 26,925 taels.
Cotton piece-goods from abroad, of which grey shirtings are the
chief part, show no expansion, and the prospect for woollens
appears anything but bright. China seems to be going to make
her own piece-goods at no very distant date.
American kerosene shows a large increase...”
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“...Company, Limited" (registered in Hong-Kong under the
Companies Acts), commenced working on January 27,1898. The
rice, hulled or decorticated by it, comes out considerably whiter
than that turned out by the native hand mills, and yet sold
cheaper, 4 dol. 10 c. per picul of 140 catties. (Prices must have
now risen.) Besides hulling grain, the mill grinds it into fine
flour, which sold at 2 dol. per 50 lb. sack. Much of the machinery
comes from Syracuse, New York State, U.S.A. The good quality
and cheapness of its products seem to warrant the anticipation of
a successful career for the company. The building stands on the
Wuhu Creek (so well known to winter sportsmen), and has thus
water communcation with the producing districts in the interior.
The native hulling hand-mills are light things made of chesnut-
© o o
wood, faced or grooved with bamboo, costing less than 8s. each.
I have seen a coolie lift one easily up and stow it on one of the
long native wheelbarrows for transport, in company...”
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