West Briton Newspaper entry 1869

Perhaps no town of its size in the Western Counties has been so flourishing during the past year as Penryn. Its ten steam engines have been constantly at work, employing a very large number of hands. The granite trade has been very brisk, the workmen earning from five to six shillings a day each, with full employment. The cattle trade has been steady throughout the year, upward of 2,500 cattle having been imported by two merchants whose ships have been constantly plying between France, Spain and Penryn. The iron foundry established in the town a few years ago has been constantly at work, employing a great number of hands under the spirited and able management of Mr Sara. The paper mills of Mr Mead are also doing a large amount of business and giving great employment. The potato trade has not flourished as in former years, owing no doubt to the excellence of the crops in England. In 1867 some cargoes of oranges were imported but none last year; it is said that the speculation did not pay. The owners of the orchards and gardens, with which the neighbourhood abounds, find a ready sale for their produce from the great number of vessels constantly arriving at Falmouth. Tanyards, coal stores, lime kilns and flour mills also place the town commercially in a very healthy state.