carbonate of soda, but also in that of bleaching powder, with the Leblanc process. Dr. Mond went on to say that he had hesitated to extend the new method in connection with the ammonia-sodą process as rapidly as he would otherwise have done, because of the possibilities involved in the processes lately developed for the production. of chlorine by electrolysis.

The electrolytical method for the manufacture of chloride of potash, bleaching powder, and caustic soda for the decomposition of salt, instead of the employment of bi-sulphuric acid, has been in use for some time in Germany, and also to a small extent in the United States. It is claimed, that by the application of electricity, the chemicals can be produced more cheaply than by the old method. The electrolytical methods do certainly produce more direct results, but local experts say that it is yet too soon to definitely decide whether they are more economical than the old method, as there are so many considerations which time alone can solve, such as the wear and tear of machinery and the cost of replacement, which are expected to be serious items of expenditure. Where electricity can be produced by water power, as in Norway and at Niagara and other places in the United States, the new process will have a better chance of success than in England, where it must be produced at great cost in the consumption of coal. The various electrolytical processes in use in this neighborhood are:

(1) Richardson & Holland's patents, which are being worked at Parr (St. Helens), but apparently so far are not proving a commercial success, although over $486,000 have been employed in perfecting them.

(2) Castner-Kellner's patents, worked at Weston Point (Runcorn). The company holds out the promise of being able to make a return of 8 per cent per annum to their shareholders next year. For the last year they were paid nothing.

(3) Hargreaves & Bird's patents, works for which are being erected at Middlewich in Cheshire.

(4) The Rhondin process, for which a prospectus was issued inviting the subscription of capital. This was not allowed to go further, as the Castner-Kellner Company obtained an injunction restraining the Rhondin Company on the ground that their process was an infringement of the Castner-Kellner patents.

Speaking generally, there has been a steady decline in prices at Liverpool, dating from 1893. The following figures show the downward movement:

Sulphate of ammonia.—In 1893, $68.13 per ton; in 1897, $40. 14. Caustic soda.-In 1893, $46.22 per ton; in 1897, $35.88.

Soda ash (Leblanc).—In 1893, $22.50 per ton; in 1897, $21.89.

Chlorate of potash.-In 1893, 16 cents per pound; in 1897, 7.6

cents.

Bleaching powder.-In 1893, $41.36 per ton; in 1897, $30.40. Muriate of ammonia.-In 1893, $4.86 per cwt.; in 1897, $4.25. Carbonate of soda.—Prices have slightly fluctuated; in 1893 the price was $19.46 per ton; in 1897, $20.67.

Sal ammoniac.-The price has been very steady from 1893 to 1897, it being about $8.51 per cwt. for first quality and $8.02 for second quality.

LIVERPOOL, July 8, 1898.

JAMES BOYLE,

Consul.

SIPHON BOTTLES IN FRANCE.

I have the honor to give herewith such information as I have been able to obtain, pursuant to Department instruction of September, 1897, as to the manufacture of siphon bottles.*

I may state that it has been gained with the utmost difficulty, and in many cases in the face of absolute refusal on the part of manufacturers solicited to give any information whatsoever. In answer to my request for the names of manufacturers of siphon bottles, I obtained from the Chambre Syndicale de la Céramique et de la Verrerie the names and addresses of a number of prominent manufacturers, some of whom were located in Paris and others in the provinces.

It seems that a siphon bottle, before it is complete as such, is the product of two distinct operations. The bottles are produced in the first place by the glass manufacturers and bottle makers, and by them handed over to manufacturers of the metal top.

The manner of the adjustment of the top to the bottle, and the class of machinery necessary to accomplish the same, the makers maintain rigorously secret. I made several efforts to obtain admission to the manufactories, but was invariably, although with expressions of much regret, refused.

The several consuls in whose districts siphon bottles are manufactured have reported to me that they encountered the same difficulty that I have in Paris. The consul at Bordeaux writes me he was informed by a manufacturer in his district that "the method of attaching siphon and cap is a secret which it would be folly for him to disclose." In the neighborhood of Marseilles bottles are manufactured, but the metal portions are not supplied.

For a series of reports in answer to Department instruction, see CONSULAR REPORTS No. 211 (April, 1898). Advance sheets of this report and of the one following have been sent to the party desiring the information.

The prices for these bottles, which are manufactured either by the continuous-fusion process or from glass which is melted every twelve hours (processes undoubtedly well known in America) are quoted in Marseilles as follows: Siphon, containing 1 liter (1.0567 quarts), 65 francs ($12.65) per hundred; half a liter, 55 francs ($10.62) per hundred; one-fourth of a liter, 45 francs ($8.69) per hundred. The ordinary sized siphons are blown by hand operatives, but the unwieldy sizes are blown through a tube by machinery. The sand used in the manufacture is found in France. The nearest ap

proach to any illustration I have been able to obtain in regard to the attachment of the metal tops and the manner of charging the water is contained in the illustrated catalogue, herewith inclosed,* of Messrs. Durafort et fils, of Nos. 162 and 164 Boulevard Voltaire, Paris. I also have the honor to transmit the list of the members of the Chambre Syndicale at Paris,* the names marked being such as were indicated to me as being manufacturers of siphons.

I regret the delay, which was due to the difficulties above mentioned, and trust that this very incomplete report may be of some service.

PARIS, June 16, 1898.

JOHN K. GOWDY,

Consul-General.

SIPHON BOTTLES IN ENGLAND.

The manufacture of siphons was introduced into England, about twenty years ago, by a London firm which now sells over 400,000 siphons annually. The vases or glasses are not made in England, being imported from the Continent (Europe), and consisting, as a rule, of the finest Bohemian crystal glass, although some manufacturers use part Austrian and part French glass.

The metal heads, which are made extensively in London, are manufactured by the leading firms from pure tin, no lead being used in any part of the siphon heads. A large number of firms, however, use a leaden mixture for the screw collars, lever handles, and screwtop caps, none of which come in contact with the water.

When the head has been fitted to the vase, or glass bottle, it is tested with a pressure (air and water) of 300 pounds per square inch.

The average selling price of the complete siphon in England is 18s. ($4.38) per dozen, except in the case of large contracts, when this price is somewhat reduced.

Fittings of parts of the heads are also sold in large quantities. WM. M. OSBOrne, Consul General.

LONDON, May 31, 1898.

*Filed for reference in Bureau of Foreign Commerce, Department of State

COTTON TRADE OF THE WORLD.

Consul Morris sends from Ghent, under date of May 28, 1898, a clipping from a local newspaper, as follows:

The cotton industry, formerly almost exclusively localized in Lancashire, is to-day cosmopolitan. Unfortunately for Lancashire, numerous adverse influences have for almost a quarter of a century unfavorably affected this district.

In normal years, India takes about 40 per cent of the cottonades exported from England; in 1896–97 it took only about three-fourths of its ordinary share. Famine and pestilence have forced the inhabitants of Bengal to limit their purchases. The Argentine Republic and other South American states have, because of financial and political troubles, decreased their demands. The protective tariffs of Italy, Spain, and other countries have likewise done much harm to British manufactures. According to a report from the English vice-consul at Fez, the cottonades manufactured in the French factories of Pondichery are supplanting Lancashire products in Morocco. In consequence of these changes, the distress in certain cities of northern England is extreme. At Burnley, where are manufactured large quantities of goods intended for the Indian and South American markets, the depression is such that the oldest workmen declare that their situation has not been so bad since the thirty days' famine during the American civil war.

In the English market itself there are unfavorable circumstances; certain classes of goods of superior qualities are now less in demand. Instead of elegance of design, strength and probable wear are desired in textiles, so that manufacturers in certain lines can no longer dispose of their products.

There is, however, some compensation for these unfavorable influences. Scandinavia is buying more and more of the first qualities of Lancashire products, and the English colonies are becoming better clients than ever. But, full account taken of these exceptions, it remains a fact that the general situation is critical.

To retain their markets, the English have to exercise more and more inventive qualities; it is evident that the manufacturer who continues to produce articles which he has been in the habit of selling, runs great risk of being supplanted by his more energetic competitors. Fashions change, even in barbarian lands; certain marks formerly in vogue are now disdained.

The value of cotton yarns and cottonades exported from England during the first nine months of 1897 was £47,000,000 ($229,125,500), as compared with £59,000,000 ($287,123,500) for the same period of 1892. Cottonades do not to-day represent more than 27 per cent of the total of British exports, against 31 per cent a quarter of a century ago.

Without doubt, there has been a great reduction in the price of manufactured articles; none the less the fall in the price of exported cottonades is heavy-from 37 cents per pound in 1872 to 221⁄2 cents per pound in 1897. The price of raw material has, it is true, fallen considerably; but wages, if anything, have slightly increased.

In Germany and Austria, complaints are made that the cotton industry is no longer profitable, by reason of overproduction and the competition occasioned by the introduction of new machinery. During the last season, about 500,000 new spindles were worked in Germany, and spinning mills with a capacity of from 300,000 to 400,000 more were being built. In France, also, there is overproduction and less demand. Taking the Continent as an entirety, an increase in consumption is noted, corresponding to the inauguration of 1,000,000 new spindles.

In the United States the season was not good, but future prospects are better; the rapid progress of the cotton industry in the Southern States is striking. The increase in spindles during 1896–97 in the South was 445,000, against 100,000 in the North.

The quantity of cotton consumed by Europe, the United States, and India for the season of 1896-97, as compared with that of 1860–61, was:

The total was 11,330,000 bales in 1896-97, as compared with 4,329,000 in 1860-61.

The number of spindles in 1897 and 1893 was:

The total demand for 1897 is estimated at 10,740,000 bales-7,696,000 for Europe, 2,844,000 for the United States, and 200,000 for Canada, Mexico, etc.

In 1896, the total was 10,512,000 bales-7,592,000 for Europe, 2,744,000 for the United States, and 176,090 for Canada, etc.

Consul Monaghan, of Chemnitz, under date of June 14, 1898, says: The lands that lead in cotton production are the United States, India, and Egypt, half of the entire product coming from the United States. The crop of the world in 1895-96 was estimated at 27,000,000 tons (of 2,204 pounds). India, in 1895-1897, produced 2,765,000 bales; Egypt, 1,238,000 bales. China's production in 1894, was estimated at 1,000,000 bales of 400 pounds; but this covered only the cotton that came to the coast cities. With the opening of China will come great development in the cotton industry. Central Asia offers opportunities in the same line. Its crop in 1896, the only year for which one finds figures, was 65,500 tons, or 360,000 bales. Everyone in Germany is eagerly watching the developments in China and central Asia. The desire to get along without the aid of the United States is so great that no efforts are made to conceal it.