Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Second part - X. Manufacturing Industries. By Å. G. Ekstrand, Ph. D., Chief Engineer, Control Office of the Department of Finance - 2. Textile and Clothing Industry, by Prof. G. Sellergren, Stockholm - The Cotton trade - The Linen and Jute-cloth industry
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804
x. manufacturing industries of 8wedbn.
Printed cotton goods are manufactured at a few factories, among
which Rydboholm on the Viskaån River, in the Elfsborg Län, is the
principal. Cotton prints, cretonnes, etc., of recognized good quality are
produced here, although with regard to richness of choice in patterns
they cannot compete with those from abroad, as the expensive
printing-rollers are not manufactured in the country.
The Linen and Jute-cloth industry.
o
The Norrland provinces Helsingland, Ångermanland, and
Jemtland, are renowned in Sweden for their excellent flax and fine linen.
Nevertheless, Småland, Halland, and Vestergötland also occupy an
important place in this respect. In the middle of the nineteenth century,
much was done both by the Government and the Riksdag, as well as by
private individuals, for promoting the linen industry. Especially
noticeable is the bonus introduced in 1740, according to which linen of a
certain fineness (there were 8 classes of such) were rewarded, and
consequently the manufacturing skill was raised to a high pitch of perfection.
Already in 1741, D. Kropp obtained privileges on establishing a linen
manufactory at Hernösand, in Ångermanland.
The retting of the flax takes place in the northern parts of the
country in pools of still water; in the southern parts, on the other hani
on meadows — then called dew-retting. The Norrland flax usually
assumes a light grey, nearly white colour; that from the southern
parts, e. g. Småland, becomes grey and more uneven in colour. The
culture of flax has more and more declined. In 1875, 36,490 quintals
(à 1*9 7 cwts.) were gathered, in 1901, only 13,280 — a reduction of 64 v
Our linen trade worked on a large scale has, however, at the same time
somewhat increased, very large quantities of flax being imported. The
home manufacture is far from sufficient, though, to supply the needs
of the country.
Among the present flax-mills in Sweden mention may be made of
Almedal, Jonsered, and Holma (Tidaholm), with a total produce valne
of nearly 2 million kronor in yarn and stuffs. The reason why the
linen trade, notwithstanding the fact that flax of splendid quality can
be produced in Sweden, is of subordinate significance, must be sought
partly in increasing popularity of cotton stuffs, partly and more
especially in the difficulty of obtaining sufficient raw material of even
quality. The country people do not carry on the retting in a rational
way, the sorting of the flax purchased by the factory proves difficult
to effect, and the product thus becomes very uneven. At present,
attempts are being made in Helsingland at a systematic retting of the
flax, based on purchasing raw flax from the peasantry, and carried out
in connection with a thorough improvement into yarn and linen-cloth.
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