Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/150

124 way in the plait trades. They supply the material to the workers and pay for the labour. They also sell the finished articles and act as agents for the merchants who do large export trade; chiefly to Germany and America. The requirements of the foreign markets absorb about two thirds of the entire production of the district, the other third represents the home trade.

It is very interesting to observe the operations of plaiting so smartly performed by our village workers. First, the fibres of the plants are plaited to form strands about two footfeet [sic] long, assorted according to quality, bound in bundles and labeled. In the making of hand-bags, some are plaited on wooden blocks which give the form, in other cases the strands are hand-sewn.

For making articles of this kind, the worker gets for one of ordinary quality 1½ d. These of higher quality and tasteful finish are paid at the rate of 11 d per bag. A pair of common shoes realizes for the plaiter 1 d, while the better kinds commands 7 d, or more, while helmets for the tropics bring the maker from 5 to 6 d each.

In this industry whole families take part, the men assisting the wives when they return from their daily labour in other trades. The children are taken to the work at a very early age; and their assistance is not to be despised, the household motto would appear to be „in unity there is strength“, indeed it is absolutely necessary for all to help, as the possible earnings at best are very low. To plait a strand 50 yards long of three cords, an expert man must work at least three hours and only earns from 1 d to 1½ d. A great drawback is the increasing price of raw material which is supplied from the south part of Bohemia where there are large fish ponds, consequently it is difficult to produce the goods to compete with the products of other countries more favourably circumstanced as to cost of material. However, things are improving, thanks to a considerable extent to the good, resulting from the instruction in improved methods of working imparted at the model workshop founded by the government, it gives us reason to anticipate a continuance of improvement.