تقارير ومراسلات تتعلق ببلاد فارس، بما يشمل التجارة ومساراتها في بلاد فارس [و‎‎٢‎٤] (٢٥٢/٤٧)

PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OP COMMERCE.
43
Number i:
Table of
Statistics.
30,56
TextilesSilk—Raw, Waste, Cocoons.
M Jztnderan " W ° rm ^ n ° W extensiveI >' reared In GhIIan and
The industry in this region is of ancient date, but disease
appeared some 30 years ago and almost ruined it. The last ten
years have brought renewed prosperity, and the export of cocoons
* ro iP, R es nt is to-day a very important trade.
The following figures of the export of cocoons from Resht are
for ^902-- 6 Consular Re P ort ( R esht, Annual Series, No. 3,109)
Lbs.
Krs. Krs.
'893,
76,160,
value
18
to 19
'895.
2 35 . 760 ,
>»
14
.1 15
■ 897.
346 , 080 ,
D
14
„ 16
1899,
1,1 78,688,
„ average
22%
1900,
1,615,488,
D
»>
20^
igci,
'.112,338,
n
11
18
1902,
24
fresh = 6,475
» ~ 15,000
» = 2 3,550
I = I 12,350
= 150,265
= 93,548
= 247 ,C 02
. ihe lm P 0 rt ot silk-worm eggs has risen from a value of 2,200/.
in 1894 to 36,478/. (lbs. 14,566) in 1902-03; they are brought
trom Asia Minor, French eggs not proving a success.
Formerly hand-reeled and waste silk were largely exported to
Constantinople and Marseilles; now the export trade is almost
entirely in cocoons to Marseilles and Milan. Steam reeling works
have been fitted up recently by a Persian merchant, and are
reported to have succeeded, the silk commanding Broussa prices.
The foregoing remarks are taken from the Consular Report above
referred to, which contains much information on the subject.
The average price for cocoons in 1903 has been krs. 33 per
Shah man (13 lbs.), fresh. About 3 mans of fresh cocoons are
equal to 1 man, dried. The cost of drying, sorting, cleaning, and
packing is canvas bags may amount to about krs. 2 per man. ’
In consequence of the high prices offered this year it is
reported that almost the whole production of cocoons has been
exported, amounting to over 23,000 bales, or 1,500,000 kilos.
In addition to the export trade there is a large consumption
of reeled and waste silk in the country ; perhaps one-half of the
production in ordinary years is forwarded to Tabriz, Kashan,
Ispahan, Yezd, Kerman, Meshed, and vid Kermanshah to Bagdad*.
There is also a considerable manufacture of coarse silk tissues in
Ghilan.
The Tabriz merchants formerly took a large share in the Resht
export trade, but they are now cut out by the firms working on
the spot and exporting vtd Batoum, There is still a consumption
of Resht silk for carpet weaving, embroideries, &c.
The exports from Kermanshah are chiefly spun silk and
waste silk for the Bagdad market, where many silk and mixed
tissues, embroideries, &c., are produced.
Ispahan and Sultanabad import silk for the carpet industry ;
Kerman for carpets and silk tissues of many sorts, kerchiefs,
sashes, cloaks (abbas), and brocades. Kashan has long been
famous for its varied silk tissues, from handkerchiefs to velvets,
brocades, and carpets.
In the Yezd, Kashan, and Urmiah districts silk is cultivated,
but in much smaller quantities than required for local con
sumption.
Khorassan grows silk, particularly in the neighbourhood
of Turbat, but not sufficient for the weaving industries, and much
is imported from Resht.
G 2