MANUFACTURES. Manufacturing affords em ployment to a larger number of wage-earners than any other industry in the State. The num ber in 1900 was 241,582, or 12.8 per cent. of the population. The percentage of people thus en gaged has increased faster than the population itself, there being in 1850 only 7.7 per cent. con nected with manufactures. The increase in the value of the product has been twice as rapid. From 1890 to 1900 but few States exceeded New Jersey either in the absolute or the percentage (72.5) of gain attained in the value of manufac tured products. In the latter year this value s estimated at $611,748,000, placing the State sixth in rank. Prominent among the factors contributing to the development of manufactures arc first, New Jersey's proximity to the large markets of New Yo•k and Philadelphia; second ly, its admirable transportation facilities; and lastly, its iron and clay resources and its prox imity to the coal and other mineral fields of Pennsylvania.
The manufacture of textiles constitutes the most important group of industries. New Jersey ranks first in the production of silk and silk goods; and' Paterson, the chief centre, is the largest silk manufacturing city in the United States. The industry was first established here in 1840, but it was not until the decade ending with 1870 that its great growth began. Front 1890 to 1900 the value of the product increased nearly 30 per cent. Cottons, woolens, and wor steds are also produced, but in less quantities. The output of woolens suffered a decline from 1890 to 1900, while the output of worsteds in creased more than threefold. The dyeing and fin ishing of textiles has assumed large proportions.
Another important group includes the manu facture of iron and steel and their products. The iron and steel industry began in Warren County at an early period, time supply of iron ore being secured in that locality. The value of products more than doubled during the decade 1890-1900. Of yet greater value are the products
of the closely related foundry and machine-shop industry. During 1890-1900 the advantages of cheaper land and more efficient railway service brought hillier a number of New York estab lishments. Newark, Paterson, and Elizabeth are the largest centres. The value of the electrical apparatus produced in 1900 was nearly eightfold greater than in 1890. The sewing-machine output increased in value 59 per cent. in the same period. In 1900 the State ranked fourth in the manufac ture of jewelry, Newark being the chief centre.
The State's valuable beds of clay and sand have each given rise to an important industry. Brick clays are found in every section. but near ly all the rich clays are in County, and fortunately close to the navigable coast waters or the Raritan River. Architectural clay products, sewer pipe, etc., are produced in this section in great abundance. Trenton has become famous for its pottery. The industry was be gun here in 1852, but it was not until the Cen tennial Exhibition in 1876 that the superior quality of the product became knpwn, and a wide market was opened for it. From 1890 to 1900 the value of the total clay product in creased 73.1 per cent. The sand deposits in the southern part of the State are of a quality that makes them valuable in the manufacture of glass, and glass has been produced in that sec Lion since pre-Revolutionary times. The leather indu-dry is centred largely in Newark. Elizabeth has one of the largest factories in the United States. Chemicals, liquors, and to bacco goods arc all extensively produced and have each made large gains. The first two are most important in Newark, the last in •Jersey City. Extensive oil-retining works are located at Bay onne, where the surrounding water of New York Bay is of sufficient depth to enable ocean-going vessels to load from the docks. The table on the following page explains itself.