The general distribution of the workers’ population in large, middle-sized, and small factories in the year 1896 was as follows. First of all there was the great division of independent artisans who worked single-handed, and working men and women who were without permanent employment on the day of the census. Part of this large division belongs to agriculture; but, after having deducted the agricultural establishments, M. March arrives at the figures of 483,000 establishments belonging to this category in industry, and 1,047,000 persons of both sexes working in these establishments, or temporarily attached to some industrial establishment. To these we must add 37,705 industrial establishments, where no hired workmen are employed, but the head of the establishment works with the aid of the members of his own family. We have thus, in these two divisions, about 520,700 establishments and 1,084,700 persons which I inscribe in the following table under the head of “No hired operatives.” The table then appears as follows:-- +-----------------------------+---------------+--------------------+ | | Number of |Number of operatives| | |establishments.| and clerks. | +-----------------------------+---------------+--------------------+ | No hired operatives | 520,700 | 1,084,700 | +-----------------------------+---------------+--------------------+ | From 1 to 10 employees | 539,449 | 1,134,700 | | From 11 to 50 ” | 28,626 | 585,000 | | From 51 to 100 ” | 3,865 | 268,000 | | From 101 to 500 ” | 3,145 | 616,000 | | From 501 to 1000 ” | 295 | 195,000 | | More than 1000 ” | 149 | 313,000 | +-----------------------------+---------------+--------------------+ | | 575,529 | 3,111,700 | | +---------------+--------------------+ | Total (with first division).| 1,096,229 | 4,196,400 | +-----------------------------+---------------+--------------------+ These figures speak for themselves and show what an immense importance the small industry has in France. More details, showing the distribution of the great, middle-sized and small industry in different branches will be found in the Appendix, and there the reader will also see what a striking resemblance is offered under this aspect by the industry of France and that of the United Kingdom. In the next chapter it will be seen from a similar census that Germany stands in absolutely the same position.