Whilst the 30, 24, and 18 inch staves can all be made quite flat, thus:

Dimensions as specified above and shown in the pro forma invoice: Monte (first class), 36 inches in length, 1 inch in thickness, and 4 to 6 inches in width. Scartone (second class), one-third less in value than first, the 3 to 4 inches width one-third less than the 4 to 6 inches.

Length (stave 36 inches long): 18 inches counts for one-half, 24 inches for two-thirds, 30 inches for five-sixths, 36 inches for 1, 42 inches for 14, 48 inches for 13, 54 inches for 1.

Thickness (stave 1 inch thick): 5 to 7 lines counts for one-half, 7 to 9 lines for two-thirds, 9 to 11 lines for five-sixths, 11 to 14 lines for 1, 14 to 17 lines for 14, 17 to 22 lines for 14, 22 to 26 lines for 2.

Vergine, 2 to 3 inches wide staves, are not assorted into first and second class; therefore called "Vergine." Lengths, same as for Monte and Scartone; thickness, 9 to 14 lines for 1 stave; 5 to 9 lines for one-half stave, above 14 lines for 14 staves of 2 to 3 inches. These are sold at a separate price, at so much per thousand pieces reduced into 36-inch lengths, 9 to 14 lines thickness, and 2 to 3 inch widths.

"Feuerscarton" are those rejected on account of sundry defects, such as large and small wormholes, knots, red stain, etc., and these are classed as regards lengths the same as Monte and Scarton. Thickness, same as Vergine widths, from 3 to 6 inches. These are also sold at so much per thousand pieces, reduced into 36-inch lengths, 9 to 14 lines thickness, and 3 to 6 inch widths.

Only sound oak, and the finer the quality the better. Two kinds of white oak are employed for staves, which have nothing to do with American white oak (Quercus alba), but are called, one Quercus robur and the other Quercus pedunculato, the first growing on hills and mountains, the latter in marshy plains.

So far the supply has generally exceeded the demand. Thus, for instance, there are now about 30,000,000 staves, unsold of the 1889-90 season, and 45,000,000 of the 1880-01 season, or a total of 75,000,000 stock unsold, against a yearly consumption of about 50,000,000 pieces. As far as I can learn no American staves are sold in this consular district. JAMES F. HARTIGAN,

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

Consul.

Triest, May 6, 1891.

Importation of oak staves at Triest during the year 1890.

BELGIUM.

ANTWERP.

REPORT BY CONSUL STEWART.

The entire stave trade in Antwerp and this consular district is in the hands of one firm, who import, purchase, and control all the staves employed here, and it is from them that I have the details given below.

The staves are imported from Hungary and the United States in a crude state, and are here planed, smoothed, and arranged suitable for the manufacture of barrels. The firm that handles them in such manner disposes of them again only in the form of barrels.

From Hungary are received the staves employed for making from 300 to 400 tuns (foudres), holding each from 600 to 1,250 gallons.

The number of staves required for a tun are three layers placed side by side in sufficient number to form a square with the length, while for the heads two layers of same description are required.

The prices vary from 200 to 600 francs, delivered free in Antwerp. The total value of the imports of such staves may be estimated at from 80,000 to 120,000 francs per year.

The dimensions are as follows: Length, 80 to 100 inches; width, 5 to 9 inches; thickness, 1 to 3 inches.

Staves that exceed these dimensions for exceptionally large tuns are occasionally received.

From Hungary are also received the staves for making from 10,000 to 15,000 barrels holding from 6 to 25 gallons each, same being also imported in three layers of a square formed with the length of the stave required.

Prices vary from 6 to 8 francs for the quantity necessary for a barrel, and the total imports of such staves may amount to 90,000 to 100,000 francs in value.

The dimensions are as follows: Length, 32 to 42 inches; width, 4 to 5 inches; thickness, 1 to 14 inches.

These staves are of white oak and the barrels made of them are principally destined to breweries, the wood not being close enough to be desirable for spirits.

The total value of Hungarian staves of all kinds received in this district may therefore be estimated at from 170,000 to 220,000 francs.

AMERICAN STAVES.

American staves are imported into this district to the number of from 40,000 to 60,000 per year, principally from New York and Philadelphia, and some from New Orleans. The total value may be estimated at from 35,000 to 40,000 francs.

The kinds used are barrel staves, hogsheads (oxheads), and pipes, which are all of white oak, and they must be of healthy, not worm-eaten, wood to give satisfaction.

About two-thirds of the imports are hogsheads, and the other third is equally divided between barrel staves and pipes.

The general conditions of sale are delivery free on board at the port of shipment, and cash against bill of lading and other documents. So the freight, varying from $7 to $15 per 1,200 pieces, must be added to the preceding prices given.

American hogsheads and pipes find much favor on this market on account of the superior quality of the timber, which is harder and much better qualified for liquor barrels than the Hungarian staves in general, which are of softer oak.

While the direct imports into Antwerp of American staves are unimportant, the transit to Holland through Antwerp is estimated at 500,000 staves per year.

Rotterdam is the principal market on the continent, and a stock of from 250,000 to 300,000 is always to be found there.

I am informed by the customs administration at Brussels that, during the years 1888, 1889, and 1890, no staves were imported from the United States into this consular district. The approximate amount of staves annually imported into Brussels is 700,000.

The few barrels and kegs made here were, until within the last year, refashioned from old wine-barrels to meet the requirements of trade.

1

Barrels and kegs employed by the breweries in this city are imported ready made from Germany. There is only one cooperage in this district, and that but recently established by an enterprising German, a Mr. Kraemer, at Uccle-Calevort, a suburb of Brussels. He informs me that he now employs about 600,000 staves annually, but, owing to his increasing business, his requirements in future will greatly exceed that amount.

Oak staves only are sold on this market. Special attention is given to the selection of the wood and finish. Germany, Hungary, and Russia contribute largely to the inadequate home production. Native staves, owing to superior quality, are most esteemed and demanded. American staves, on account of the tender quality of the oak, indifferent finish, and irregular form in which they reach this market, are not in demand.

Prices of staves vary from 140 to 180 francs ($27 to $35) the cubic meter. Those destined for ends of barrels should have the center thicker than the ends, while those to be employed in the body of the barrel should have the ends thicker than the center. The dimensions vary from 14 inches to 9 feet in length and not less than 3 inches in width and 2 inches in thickness. It is absolutely necessary that oak staves destined for this market be free from all defects, such as knots, knot and worm holes, and cut so as to incur as little waste as possible, as a duty of 1 franc (20 cents) per cubic meter is exacted.

I may add that Mr. Kraemer informs me that he would be pleased to import American oak staves, provided he could have them delivered at Brussels at equally advantageous price and conditions as those from other countries. He also states that in his business transactions in Belgium, Germany, Hungary, and Russia, he is allowed from sixty to ninety days' credit, and that he should expect the same terms in the United States. GEO. W. ROOSEVELT,

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

Brussels, Belgium, April 30, 1891.

Consul.

GHENT.

REPORT BY CONSUL Osborne.

It is the practice of the score or more of coopers of the city of Ghent to order either their staves roughly cut and shaped or, frequently, simply the planks; this latter was the general practice until recently. From these they make the desired staves for any of the fifty varieties of casks and barrels for which they may happen to receive orders. The nearest approach to a stave that is imported is a piece measuring 2.7 inches, 3 inches, or 3.5 inches in width by 2 feet 3.5 inches or 2 feet 4 inches in length, and 1 inch in thickness. The planks are about 1 foot