AYRSF1IRE maintains a goodly rank among the commercial counties of Scotland. The mineral riches are considerable. Coal is abundant, especially in the middle and northern parts of the county. The coal is of different varieties, among which is the blende coal, found in the earth charred, or reduced to the state of a cinder ; it burns without smoke or much flame, and is used for drying grain and malt. Considerable quantities are exported to Ireland and to the Western Isles. Near Saltcoats eleven different strata or seams of coal of various quality have been discovered. The proprietor constructed the harbour of Saltcoats, and built salt-pans, in order to use profitably the otherwise useless part of the coal.
The county affords abundance of limestone. Freestone is quarried in great quantity ; and there is some whinstone and puddingstone. Mill-stones of coarse granite are quarried at Kilbride, near the northern part of the coast, and are in great request for their hardness and durability ; they are exported to the West Indies and to America. Near Auchinleck is a quarry of black stone much used for building ovens, on account of its power of re. sisting the action of fire. The whetstone known by the name of Water-of-Ayr stone is found near the banks of the river Ayr. Marl also is procured in many places.
Ironstone is also abundant, and at a few places extensive iron works are carried on. Lead, plumbago or black-lead, antimony, and copper (of each of which the quantity is small) may be considered as nearly completing the list of minerals of Ayrshire.
The manufactures of Ayrshire are im portant, for the district possesses considerable advantages. Fuel is abundant; materials for
building are at hand ; and channels of com munication of all kinds are open in every direction. The vicinity of Glasgow and Pais ley seems to have given an impulse to im provement. Carpets, cloths, and stockings are manufactured; and the most improved machinery is in use. The woollen manufac ture has long been extended to all parts of the county, and is carried on to a considerable extent by the aid of machinery. Dyers and fullers have established themselves in con nection with it. The linen manufacture has never been carried to any great extent. The silk manufacture was tried but did not become permanent. The cotton manufacture, esta blished in Glasgow and Paisley, soon extended itself into Ayrshire. Great cotton works were erected at the village of Catrine on the river Ayr; and the weaving of muslin has been established nearly all over the county. Bleach ing, as connected with the cotton trade, has also been extensively carried on. Woollen bonnets and serges are largely made.
Leather is another manufactured article of considerable importance. Tanneries have been greatly extended ; the leather is em ployed in making shoes, boots, and saddlery. Of the latter some is exported to foreign parts. Pottery for domestic purposes is made, but not to any great amount, or with much profit. Kelp, soda, and salt have all been made to advantage along the shore.