They, therefore, use a kind of coke, or what they call breezes, but which doubtless should be spelt brisées, or broken bits of coal that has already passed through the fire. They pay from 6d. to 7d. per sack for these brisées, each sack containing three bushels. The nail-master or merchant furnishes the iron in bundles to the nail-maker, weighing sixty pounds each, and allows him from six to twenty-eight pounds for waste per bundle, according to the size of the nails; the largest size, of course, wasting less iron per pound produced. The nailer has to run his own risk as to the quality of iron furnished him. Sometimes several rods will be almost useless.
The land-made nail trade has been sadly depressed for nearly half a century, and from various causes. First, the competition with machinery has greatly diminished the production of the hammer, as well as depressed its price. In 1830 it was estimated that about 50,000 persons were employed in the manufacture; whereas, the present number thus employed is put at 20,000. The earnings of a family of man, wife, son or daughter will possibly average about twenty shillings per week, out of which they must pay for their coal, and the extra rent charged for their shop. Many skilled and industrious men will earn this amount alone without other labour; but perhaps one pound a week would be a fair
