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Walks in the Black Country

world supply a market; Australia and New Zealand being the most important customers for door-locks. The American demand has been small comparatively of late years, and is rather decreasing still in consequence of the perfection and extent to which the manufacture has been brought in the United States. Thirty years ago it was estimated that half the locks made in the district went to America. For the last few years the demand from that side was confined mostly to till and padlocks; but these articles are now being made extensively with us; so few of any description are now imported.

The factory of Messrs. Carpenter and Tildesley is one of the oldest and most extensive establishments in England, and turns out a remarkable variety of locks in form, size, and price. They make about 200 different kinds, and six sizes to each kind, or 1,200 different locks in pattern or size. They produce about 200 dozen a week; the price varying from 7d, to £1 per lock. But if the American market is virtually closed against these articles, it is still open widely to another which yet holds its own against any protected competition on our side. That is, the currycomb. The cheapness and facility with which this is produced here are truly remarkable, and not easily to be matched by American ingenuity. The factory makes about 1,100 dozens a week, most of which go to America.