The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-04

on the Donegal coast alone. In 1893
the autumn and winter herring catch
off Donegal was valued at $4,000. II
years later it was 100000 Most of
the fish are cured, as the transportation
facilities for fresh fish are inadequate.
Donegal herrings usually bring top
prices in Germany, Russia and America.
In all. the board has expended upon
the fisheries development plans more
than half a million dollars, in addition
to $4,000 for harbor improvements.
The results have justified the expen-
diture.
A still more discourag ing problem
faced the board in its efforts to stimu-
late other industries. chiefly in the
manufacturing line. The main diff
Guilty was that manufacturing-and
indeed, any industry except agricul-
ture, fishing and a small amount of
quarrying-was nonexistent in the con-
gested districts. There were no plants,
no skilled factory workers. 1t was
necessary to begin at the beginning.
What manufacturing there was was
in the way of home industries-em-
broidery, shirt making, knitting, spin
ming, lace making and the weaving of
homespuns.
One Of the most picturesque and sue
cessful works assisted by the board
was the Foxford wooden mills, started
by the Sisters of Charity. loan Of
$4,000 was made, to be repaid in IS
years-and the whole debt, l think,
has been liquidated. $4,000 millrace
was constructed for the factory, and
in the earlier years $4,000 was paid
in subsidies for the training of work
ers. During the last six years the fac
tory has employed an average of 100
hands, with annual wages of more
than $4,000. Grants were also made
to a hosiery mill in Ballag hadereen
and TO four carpet factories in
Donegal.
The encoura cement of homespun
weaving has been an interesting and
important feature of the work Irish
homespun is noted the world over and
the boards assistance, in the teaching
of experts. in the grading of webs, and
in grants for the Improvement of looms,
spinning wheels and dyeing, has great
ly enhanced the value and reputation
of the product
LACE MAKING INDUSTRY
Lace making is cottage industry"
in ireland, with which many Americans
are indirectly familiar. The beautiful
products in applique and crochet which
are found in the big American stores
are made chiefly in the peasants homes
and in converts, where classes are con-
Quoted for teaching girls the art. The
congested districts board has spent
large sums in developing this industry,
but the returns have been highly salts
factory. In poor districts the board
has built or rented suitable classrooms,
pays the women instructors and assists
in marketing the lace in Dublin. Bel
fast, London and elsewhere. More than
20 such classes are now maintained and
the annual product averages 500, 900,
about one fifth of the value of all the
lace produced in Ireland. AS much as
$4,000 has been earned in a year by the
girls of a single class.
I visited one of the classes in the fine
school Father Denis O'Hara, a member
of the board, established in his parish
Of Kiltimagh County Mayo. Twenty or
80 girls, from 13 to 20 years old, sat in
a cheerful room, working busily under
the eye of a young woman. Some were
beginners and had first to train their
unaccustomed fingers to the delicate
work by experimental stitches. Others,