Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 3 - From Marx to Mao

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM IN RUSSIA
295
Historico-Statistical Survey, “the number of establishments
engaged in starch production has increased 42 times and
the total output 10w times; nevertheless, this productivity
is far from covering the demand for starch” (p. 116), as
evidenced by the increased starch imports from abroad. Analysing
the data for each gubernia, the Historico-Statistical
Survey reaches the conclusion that our production of potatostarch
(unlike that of wheat-starch) is of an agricultural
character, being concentrated in the hands of peasants and
landlords. “Showing promise of extensive development”
in the future, “it is even now furnishing our rural population
with considerable advantages” (126).
We shall see in a moment who enjoys these advantages.
But first let us note that two processes must be distinguished
in the development of starch production: on the one hand,
the appearance of new small factories and the growth of
peasant production, and on the other, the concentration of
production in large steam-powered factories. For instance,
in 1890 there were 77 steam-powered factories, with 52%
of the total number of workers and 60% of the total output
concentrated in them. Of these works only 11 were established
before 1870, 17 in the 70s, 45 in the 80s, and 2 in 1890
(Mr. Orlov’s Directory).
To acquaint ourselves with the economy of peasant starch
production, let us turn to local investigations. In Moscow
Gubernia, in 1880-81, 43 villages in 4 uyezds engaged
in starch making.* The number of establishments was
official data of the Department of Commerce and Manufacture,
estimated that in 1864 there were in Russia 55 starch-making establishments
whose output was valued at 231,000 rubles. The Military
Statistical Abstract estimates that in 1866 there were 198 establishments
with an output valued at 563,000 rubles, but this undoubtedly
included small establishments, not now reckoned as factories. Generally
speaking, the statistics of this trade are very unsatisfactory: small
factories are some times counted, and at others (much more often)
are not. Thus, Orlov’s Directory gives the number of establishments
in Yaroslavl Gubernia in 1890 as 25 (the List for 1894-95 gives 20),
while according to the Survey of Yaroslavl Gubernia (Vol. II, 1896),
in Rostov Uyezd alone there were 810 starch and treacle establishments.
Hence, the figures given in the text can indicate only the
dynamics of the phenomenon, but not the actual development of the
industry.
* Statistical Returns for Moscow Gubernia, Vol. VII, Pt. 1,
Moscow, 1882.