MANUFACTURES. Manufacturing is the leading industry. The percentage of wage-earners en gaged therein gradually increased during the last half of the nineteenth century, being 17.1 in 1900, or twice that of 1850. Of the 70,419 thus employed, 21,921 were women. The decade 1890 1900 witnessed the largest absolute gain in the value of products—$118,669,308 in 1900. The southern part of the State possesses the advan tage of being close to the hu-siness centre of New England, has a convenient harbor at Portsmouth. and shares with Massachusetts the excellent water power afforded by the Merrimac. The manufacturing interests accordingly are confined largely to this section of the State. The manu facture of cotton goods headed all industries until 1900. From its establishment in 1804 its growth has been steady. The water power of the Merrimae was largely the cause of the suc cess of this and determined the loca tion of the two main cotton manufacturing cen tres—Manchester and Nashua. With the de velopment of this industry in the Southern States latterly, the relative importance of New Hampshire is diminishing. The woolen industry
was established ill the first year of the nineteenth century. In 1900 the product was valued at a little less than half that of the cotton products. The woolen output decreased slightly during 1890-1900. Hosiery and knit goods are manufac tured at Laconia, but in less quantities than formerly. The hoot and shoe industry almost doubled the value of its product during 1890 1900, and acquired first rank among the indus tries of the State. The closely related tanning industry owes its development to the former abundance of the local supply of tanning bark. This branch reached its maximum in 1880, since when it has declined. The manufacture of flour ing and grist-mill products is a long established induistrys but the factory production of butter. cheese, and condensed milk is of recent though rapid growth. The table following shows the relative importance and condition of the ten leading industries,