AND ON THE CONTINENT.

157

But it is easier to introduce a definite depreciation in England than on the Continent ; for one reason on account of the costs ofestablishing, and then on account of the greater producing powerof the machinery. The greater dexterity of the operative coniesalso into account—unskilled hands ruin the machinery, which isthe reason, for instance, why the wear and tear in India is farhigher—as well as the regularity of the production. Whilst theGerman textile employer must continually change the machineryto correspond with the great variation of the goods to be produced,the Englishman spins from year to year the same counts, weavesthe same goods, and thus escapes from the considerable wear andtear caused by the alteration of the machines.

The following relation of the costs of production approximatelyresult for undepreciated mills : —

Cost of Production per Pound.

2U’b.

32’s twist.

40's weft.

60’s twist.

Wages

Working expenses (strap-ping, oil tubes, card-clothing, etc., 71 percent, deduction)

Id.

l^d.

lid.

l|d-

lid.

lid.

Depreciation

*d-

id.

tsd.

Id.

Cost of productionEverything above is inter-

2|d.

2 sd.

4d.

est and profit, in theproportion of

4d.=6*

id.'=6*

id. =5$

II

This relation gives the following reckoning: —

Cost per spindle = a (XI for 32’s twist = 240d.).

Yearly production per spindle = b (50 lb. for 32’s twist).

The amount necessary for 5 per cent, in the cost of production of 1 lb. yarn —

— .?! = W. for 32’s twist.

1005 ~ H)0 4

On the basis of these figures a glance at the current prices onthe Exchange at Manchester gives the average profits of thespinner. The amounts given certainly cover the costs com-fortably; the technically-developed mills produce at a cheaperrate. Thus 32’s twist has been sold with a difference in price ofthe yarn from the cotton of 2d., and still without loss.