The design of a factory depends, of course, on the nature and
extent of the proposed industry. The preparation of the raw material,
and the after manufacture of it into articles of utility by other persons
who purchase it, are a main division which prevails in almost all
manufacturing trades. Thus, for instance, the smelting of iron and
the rolling of plate-iron are generally maintained as trades quite
separate from those of the founder or bridge-builder. But even where
by general rule or custom such a separation of work prevails, there is
often a tendency towards a combination of the two manufactures ;
and though the expediency of such a combination must obviously be
determined by the merits of each particular case, there are certain
main principles which — in varying degree — apply to almost all cases.
The subject has to be considered from the point of view of the
manufacturers of the finished article, who wish to produce also the
material which they have hitherto purchased ; and from another side
in the interest of those who have confined their attention to the pro-
duction of such material, and who wish to enter upon the final
manufacture also.
In the struggle of competition, and in the desire to economise at
each stage of production, the manufacturer may be led to undertake
the earlier processes with the idea of saving an intermediate profit
which may allow a sale of the finished commodity at lower prices
than rivals can afford ; but this is, to a great extent, fallacious, for

F



Tramvira3r8.
Narrow gauges.
Stt Little
• Railways.
Comparativa cost

of hoisting and

haulage.
Subdivision of
trades.
Primary trades.
Tendency towards

combination of

trades.
Supposed saving
of intermediaries.
66



Mathesofis Aid Book.
[Chap. XVL



Additional trade

requires additional

capital.
