1897 was therefore two and one-half times that of 1889, while the value was far from being doubled. German aniline colors have, indeed, conquered the whole world; they are to be found in every country of the globe.

The heaviest consumer is America. The United States imported last year 39,008 double centners* of aniline colors; Great Britain's imports rose to 35,750 double centners; Austria-Hungary bought 16,595 double centners; China, 13,855 double centners; Japan, 5,077 double centners; Belgium, 8, 284 double centners; British East Indies, 8,066 double centners; and Italy, 9,823 double centners. France, Denmark, Holland, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland are also good customers for German aniline colors, and Greece, Norway, Portugal, Roumania, Spain, Turkey, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and British Australia buy their aniline colors in the German market. That the consumption of this article is largely increasing in Germany itself, is shown by the falling off in the consumption of indigo, which is imported from abroad.

BAMBERG, July 8, 1898.

LOUIS STERN,
Commercial Agent.

THE LUMBER TRADE OF BELGIUM.

According to the latest available statistics, the extent of the forests and woods of Belgium in 1880 amounted, approximately, to 1,223,568.58 acres, or 16.61 per cent of the total area of the country. Of the forest lands, 774,084.77 acres belong to private individuals. and the remainder to the State, to municipalities, or to public institutions. The annual returns from the sale of lumber average $4,169,000.

THE IMPORT TRADE.

The production of lumber in Belgium is totally inadequate for the needs of the country; consequently, the imports are heavy. The figures of lumber imported during the past few years are:

*The double centner, or double German hundredweight, is equivalent to 100 kilograms, or 220.46 pounds.

+ Including oak and walnut to the value of $3,046,891. Including oak and walnut to the value of $3,941,545.

Building lumber is one of the most important articles in the Belgian import trade. Sweden and Norway supply the greater part of lumber imported, closely followed by Russia, Germany, France, and the United States. The valuations of imports from the countries named, during the past five years, have been as follows:

It is gratifying to observe that the trade of the United States is constantly increasing. Almost all lumber brought to Belgium arrives either at the port of Antwerp or of Ghent.

The following table shows the total quantity of building lumber imported and the amount received at Antwerp:

The amounts of lumber imported at Ghent via the Terneuzen

The growth of the trade in Ghent is shown by the number of vessels exclusively loaded with lumber arriving in recent years. In 1895, there were 139 of a total tonnage of 76,511; in 1896, there were 148 vessels of 91,584 tons; in 1897, there were 198 vessels of 124,289 tons. Among all these arrivals, however, only some three or four ships of small tonnage annually reach here with lumber cargoes from the United States. This fact merits the attention of American lumber exporters. With such a lumber market as exists at Ghent, and with so many arrivals from foreign countries via the Terneuzen Canal, it seems strange that American lumber does not figure to a larger extent in the imports. Ghent is conveniently situated as a port and railway center, not only for the western and southern portion of Belgium, but also for northern and eastern France. The harbor dues and wharfage charges, as well as warehouse costs, are considerably less than at Antwerp.

OPINIONS OF LUMBER IMPORTERS.

In view of the large importation of lumber and the favorable. conditions existing on this market, I have undertaken to determine

the nature of the demand; for what uses lumber is mostly required; what kinds of lumber are wanted; what consideration is given to American lumber, and how, in the opinion of local dealers and consumers, our trade might be increased. With these objects in view, a circular letter was recently addressed to the lumber importers of this city. From the replies, I learn that American lumber would, if properly presented, receive great attention on this market. Almost all my correspondents believe that our trade in lumber might be increased. I quote three of these letters.

The Société Anonyme Luy, a very important lumber-importing house, writes as follows:

We import from America white cottonwood, sawn in different thicknesses, and unsawn mahogany and walnut blocks, all for cabinetmaking and house finishing. The whitewoods and walnut come from New Orleans; the mahogany from Cuba. For want of direct steamers to Ghent, this lumber is imported by way of Antwerp. The annual sales of such wood here may be valued at $10,000-prices depending upon quality and dimensions. If this lumber came directly to Ghent by steamer, it is certain that sales would be more important, as the cost of delivery would be much less, freight from Antwerp to Ghent and cost of transshipment being saved.

Another important firm, Messrs. Mathuys & De Vriend, replies:

We import from the United States sawn pitch-pine beams. This lumber is used for general building purposes, for the manufacture of railway and tramway cars, for mining purposes, and for maritime construction. Sawn lumber forms the larger portion (about 90 per cent) of the imports. We estimate the annual value of pitch pine imported at Ghent at about $130,000. The greater portion of the lumber imported here comes from Sweden, Norway, and Russia. The red and white pine, or fir, is employed for building purposes, for carpentry work, and for manufacture of boxes. All lumber arrives at Ghent via Terneuzen Canal. The American lumber which we import comes from the ports of Pensacola, Pascagoula, and Mobile. The lumber market at Ghent is the most important in Belgium, after Antwerp; the annual sales amount to $1,800,000. It is impossible to give prices; there are one hundred different varieties and qualities on this market, with prices more or less variable. We do not believe it possible to increase the trade in American lumber at Ghent. The woods used consist of special species and are employed only for certain purposes. Furthermore, they are too high priced to compete with the inferior qualities of Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Please note that all which precedes relates to the importation of lumber for building purposes.

The most important letter received from a lumber merchant is that written by Mr. V. Collumbien, of this city, by reason of the details given and the opinions expressed. Mr. Collumbien says:

Of a total value of from $2,400,000 to $3,000,000 in imports of lumber from northern Europe and America, the latter country furnishes only about $100,000 worth, almost exclusively in pitch pine. Not more than four to six cargoes arrive from America annually. This fact is due to the circumstance that vessels with mixed cargoes coming directly from the United States do not arrive at Ghent, and

only pitch pine can be imported in full cargoes. There are also no consignment houses in this city, as at Antwerp; such, for instance, as sell small quantities, say 10,000 kilograms (10 tons) of lumber, especially oak and cottonwood, consigned by foreign exporters. This trade, however, would give the best results. The expense of handling lumber at Ghent is 40 to 60 cents less per 3,500 cubic feet than at Antwerp. American lumber could also be equally as well distributed from this port to Flanders and south Belgium as the German and Russian lumber, which, in fact, is imported here for these districts. Furthermore, there are in this city and vicinity several very important yards for the manufacture of oak railway ties. American oak could be easily introduced for this purpose. The same may be said of cottonwood. The market for all kinds of white pine, such as spruce, small as it is at present, could readily be extended and greatly developed. There is a demand for lumber of the first quality, in certain dimensions, for the manufacture of moldings and panels of wainscoting; lumber of inferior quality is also needed for the manufacture of packing cases, of which a very large number is used in Belgium. A conservative estimate of the annual value of lumber consumed for this last purpose would be $1,000,000.

Full cargoes of these kinds of lumber could be readily sold. All lumber, indeed, is good for importation into Belgium, provided it is light, properly sawn, squared, and free from rot. The usual dimensions are from 2 to 8 inches in width and from 60 inches upwards in length. If business were done directly with the consumers, through an agent or consignee at Ghent, there is an unbounded future for American lumber on this market.

Let me add that I shall be pleased to furnish all possible information to any reliable American firm, and that after exchange of references I am ready to act as such consignee.

Other important lumber dealers at Ghent are: BlancquaertVan Imschoot, Petit Dock; H. Hye, Petit Dock; Fièvé Claeys, Petit Dock; Fièvé Bruneel, Dock; DeBrabant & Co., Dock; S. Balcaen & Co., Dock; Demoor frères, Conpur (Rive Gauche).

I also addressed a letter to several of the most important consumers of lumber and fine woods in the various trades and industries of this locality. It should first be stated that, outside of building, the most important consumption of lumber in this vicinity is in the manufacture of furniture, cooperage, packing cases, pianos, moldings, carriages, and wagons.

FURNITURE WOODS.

The manufacture of fine furniture for export is an important industry of this city. Church furniture is a specialty. One of the leading firms in this latter manufacture, Messrs. Delannier Bros., writes me:

We employ lumber of all kinds, especially oak, for church furniture. It must be sawed to the proper sizes. American lumber being too expensive, we are obliged to employ Polish oak, which is far from being of as fine quality as American oak, but differs greatly in price, being about one-half as costly.

If prices were satisfactory, we should be pleased to use American woods. American oak is the finest and the best, but prices are too high.