The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-03-01
ARTIFICIAL Flowers.
Interesting Details Concerning the Lead
ing Industry OF Saxony.

form the most important article OF ex-
port to the United States from this
consular district, writes Consul Cen
eral Charles L. Cole, from Dresden.
Several large factories in Dresden
produce a considerable quantity, but
the principal point Of manufacture is
at Sebnitz, a town Of $500 inhabit-
ants, 35 miles northeast from Dres-
den, close to the Bohemian boundary.
The declared exports to the United
States testify to the remarkable
growth and development Of this in
dustry; in 1891, they amounted to
$97, O37.61, and in 1900 to 335,S55.19,
an increase Of $~23S,S17.58 in nine
years.
For the fiscal year ended June 80,
1901, there was a slight decreased from
the figures Of 1900, but the first five
months of the current fiscal year prom
Use an increase over the largest annual
shipment. From July l., 1900, to De
cember /, 1900, the exports amounted
to $118,37 O while during the same
period of this year the figures stand at
$1SS,S6O.
In time, the industry made prog
ress, and business connections were
effected with foreign countries. Sch
nitz is now not only the center Of the
artificial flower trade in Germany, but
favorably completes with itas French
rivals.
While it is admitted that the Paris
finish and especially the exquisite
French taste cannot be excelled, yet
Sebnitz places every year q handsome
selection Of high-class novelties be-
fore the buyer.
Up to the year 1870 very little ex-
port business was done from Sebnitz,
but the Franco German war, disas-
trous to most branches of trade, was
directly beneficial to the tlowerindus-
try. During the siege, Paris could
not fill orders and Sebnitz was called
upon to supply the demand. This
"
gave a remarkable impetus to its trade.
At the present date there are some
430 manufacturers Of artificial flow
ers, leaves, plants, fruits, ETC., in this
consular district, of which $50 are To-
Gated at Sebnitz and neighboring vii
lagos and 100 in Dresden and suburbs,
Of these concerns about one-third are
engaged in the wholesale export bust
ness and the largest manufacturer
employ from $50 to 1000 persons.
The total number Of persons en-.
gagged in the trade is estimated at TO-.
600, the largest proportion being fe.
males.
The total exports from Sebnitz tt
foreign countries, other than to the
United States, is said to be ovel
$1,000, 900 per annum, and during
winter-the busiest time-severa
thousand large packing cases are dis.
patched per month.
Practically no machinery is used il
the manufacture Of artificial flowers
and when going through the larges
factory | noticed only hand presses t.
cut out, emboss, and give shape to tn,
leaf or blossom; alsoquite an ingeniu
device for making cotton fruits, ant
a tubing machine. which make
flower and leaf stems of all shades
: All the rest of the work, such as dye
ing, coloring, stemming, shaping
shading, mounting, waxing, binding
etc, is done by hand.
Work is paid for by the piece
J dozen or gross-and the earnings var
( from 80 to so marks ($7.50to $3.50
per month for females and from 35 t
so marks ($s.75 to 500 formales, &C
. cording to age, kind of work, ski
and diligence.
Children under IA years of age ar
prohibited by law from engaging a
! work in factories, and must hav
! passed the term at the public schoC
before they can obtain such permi'
I I sion.
: ? The most important feature of III
artificial-Aower trade is the house il
dustry, and it can safely be stated tha
two-thirds Of the work is done outsid
Of the factories by families who al
supplied with cut material ready fC
r stemming, shaping, binding, etc.
factory employing 100 persons in il
? ? establishment gives work to 800 or 40
, outside. There is hardly a house i
III I