Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/131

105 then follow on with a more detailed account of certain of the handicrafts.

We may here say that most of this work is done during the winter months, for our country-folk are naturally inclined for agricultural labour, and therefore they are to be found in the fields during the seasons favourable for out-door, and in winter apply themselves diligently to the production of a great variety of useful and ornamental articles, and in this wary during winter they are able by their industry „to keep the wolf from the door“.

The North East and the South East of Bohemia is where the textile branches of industry are most in evidence, weaving stuffs of fine quality, down through various grades of work and kinds of material to cheap linen and cotton goods. Others busy themselves in the production of the beautiful glass-ware for which Bohemia is famous, the polishing of precious stones of varied kinds and values give employment to a considerable number, lovely laces and embroidery keep many nimble fingers busy and so does the making of glass rings, buttons, beads and things commonly known as Jablonecké zboží (wares from Gablonz. Then in another direction, near the district of Krkonoše (Riesengebirge), there are many cleverly blowing glass-pearl beads, and making glass memorial wreathes. Then, the making of hammers and other tools, chains, nails, kitchen utensils and household requirements generally keep a good number of hands going during the dark months of the year.

Wood is worked up in the forest districts of the Šumava (Bohemian Forest) where the material is plentiful and cheap. There are produced here, such things as Chip boxes, toys, pipes, wooden vessels for domestic use, agricultural implements and articles of drum-like form such as sieves be.

Then there are parts kept busy in the making of baskets, and the plaiting of rush, osier and bast into many forms, from business-like hampers to dainty and prettily finished receptacles for the boudoir.

In the South of Bohemia they are noted for the manufacture of mother-of-pearl buttons, in this trade many of the home workers get employment from factories where work is given out. In the high borderland of Bohemia and