No. 187.

Registration.

Analyses of Fertilizers

388

382

Report on Manure Material

Official Memoranda

389

382

The Metal Markets

Chromium

Mordants in Cotton

389

The Liverpool Colour Market

Dyeing

385

Society of Public Analysts

The Tyne Chemical Report..

390

385

Miscellaneous Chemical Market

Obtaining Oxygen from the Air.

389

385

Tar and Ammonia Products

American Coals

389

386

The Bleaching of Wool and Silk

386

The Recovery of Silver and Gold

from Plating and Gilding Solu

New Companies..

tions

Examination of Oils, Fats, and
Allied Substances
Tannin and Antimony as Mordants 388
"Chicle"

386

Gazette Notices

390 390 391 391

387

338

Prices Current...

Correspondence

..... 391 393 396

388

Notices.

All communications for the Chemical Trade Journal should be addressed, and Cheques and Post Office Orders made payable toDAVIS BROS., 32, Blackfriars Street, MANCHESTER. Our Registered Telegraphic Address is"Expert, Manchester."

TO ADVERTISERS.

SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S NUMBER OF THE "CHEMICAL TRADE JOURNAL."

In the first week of the approaching New Year, we shall issue a Special Number of the Journal. It will be an enlarged Special Number of very general interest, and we shall issue with it a neat and useful office almanac, suitable for our subscribers. Including our regular subscribers, the New Year's Number will be issued not to less than 10,000 firms and individuals, so that intending advertisers will see at once that this is worthy of their special attention. We may explain that in our publishing department we possess very carefully compiled listsin most cases the results of special attention and information, at our command-of every firm of repute, both at home, and in the main trading centres abroad, connected with the various industries whose interest it is our province to serve. We utilize these lists week by week, by selecting a number of them and sending out free copies of the Journal to those firms who have not yet become annual subscribers. The result is that every day brings us new subscribers. We have arranged to continue this process week by week, until we arrive at what we consider our normal circulation, which we have fixed at a tolerably high figure.

On the occasion of the New Year's Special Number, we shall make use of the whole of the lists we have referred to, numbering altogether, as we have stated not less than 10,000 names.

Of course, for this special issue. there will be special prices for advertisements, but those who order a series, either commencing with that number or previously, will have the advantage of our regular tariff rates, of bringing their specialities under the notice of a very large circle of buyers.

As only a limited number of pages will be added for advertisements, early application for space is necessary. We shall be pleased to send tariff of charges to all those who may desire to advertise in this Special Number.

IF

REGISTRATION.

Vol. VII.

we look at the tendencies of the age, a very prominent one strikes us at once-the tendency on the part of those who follow a common line of business to combine and unite

for the purpose of protecting themselves. It is not our business to discuss the question whether in so doing they are going against the natural law of the survival of the fittest, or the consequences of so doing. We state the fact, and in support of it we point to the following illustrations. Firstly, those who have followed the more proper course of qualifying themselves for a certain position and have then secured legal powers by statute or by charter. The oldest instance of this kind, we presume, would be found in the church, then we have the law, then medicine, then apothecaries, pharmacists, and dentists; in all these cases, unless a man has followed a legally authorised course to qualify himself, and has gone through certain formalities, examinational or otherwise, and has been placed upon certain registers, he cannot officiate as a clergyman, a solicitor, a barrister, an apothecary, a dispensing chemist, or a dentist. Call it ordination, "called to the bar," "entering his inn," becoming a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, registration, the effect is the same, it benefits those who have passed within its barriers from the unlimited competition of those without. Obviously there is an advantage in this, inasmuch as it almost entirely prevents incompetent, half-trained men from doing bad work at low rates of remuneration. In the second place, are, those not protected by statute, such as trades unions and syndicates, which, by forming strong combinations of their own, beat down competition to a greater or less extent. See how the plumber is protected. Certain gas corporations in the country back their bills with the statement that they will not supply gas to premises where fittings have been put in by an "unauthorised" person. This is protection for the plumber. It is Hydra headed, it meets you oftener day by day as time goes on. In most of the professions in the first enumeration, there are various degrees of distinctions to which the protected person may attain, which tend to the material advantage of the fortunate possessor. Handsome certifiates in some cases testify to the fact that the holder has attained to a certain position, or to the Membership or Fellowship of some recognized body in the profession. It will be asked why do we enumerate these facts so patent, and more or less so familiar? For this reason, that among our readers there exists a large body of men, over whom no such protecting influence exists For the Analytical Chemist there is unlimited competition, even from boys. Not that the boys' work is worth as much as the Analyst's, but because it is cheap (?) whether it is nasty or not. We do not see why this should be, but we do know that it is an increasing difficulty, and one which unless some system of protective registration is adopted to prevent the shoals of more or less imperfectly-trained persons who are being annually turned out of the schools of this country from posing as analysts, will soon become a burden too grievous to be borne. The example we have mentioned of a gas corporation refusing to supply gas to premises fitted by

unauthorized persons might with advantage be imitated by firms refusing to give work to anyone who has not entered the Register of, say, The Institute of Chemistry. This as a temporary expedient is well enough, but, there is little hope that its adoption would be sufficiently general to be of much benefit. When the Institute of Chemistry was formed, there were not a few analytical chemists who felt to their sorrow that while the scale of wages of the working classes was steadily rising, and legislation was doing all it could for them in a grandmotherly way, the scale of remuneration of the class to which analysts, draughtsmen, clerks, etc., belong was steadily falling, owing to the unrestricted competition of persons, whose chief and strongest point was their low price. These chemists indulged in hopes that the new organization would, by action similar to that of other professional bodies, raise the status of the chemist and eliminate this unlimited competition by preventing unqualified persons from practising as chemists, whether inside works or outside, and by so doing ultimately secure the chemist a fairer and better return for the trouble and expense of his education. They are now complaining that their hopes are apparently as far from realization as ever, and some of those who have joined the Institute complain that they have not even a good looking certificate to prove the fact. The Institute of Chemistry does not deserve all that has been said against it. It has a claim on our good will, and we have no doubt that ere long it will recognise its responsibilities and take action in the matter.

ANALYSES OF FERTILIZERS.

[From a report of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.]

WE have tabulated analyses of 65 nitrogenous superphosphates and

guanos and of 33 special manures. These analyses have been made of samples collected in all parts of the state during April and May of this year by special agents of the station. Full discussion of these analyses is reserved for the annual report. Attention is here called to the following facts:

Nitrogenous Superphosphates. Of the 65 brands analysed, 22, or more than one-third, contain less of a single ingredient than is required by the manufacturer's guarantee. Two brands are thus deficient in respect of two ingredients. In only 7 cases is there a deficiency of the most valuable ingredient, nitrogen, and in several cases the deficiency is in potash and due to a form of guarantee which is misleading and in this State illegal. The manufacturer is required to guarantee the actual potash. "Potash, sulphate, 4 per cent.," is understood to mean 4 per cent. of actual potash in the form of sulphate and not 2:16 per cent. of potash combined with 184 per cent. of sulphuric acid.

The average cash ton price of these 65 brands has been 33.74 dols. ; the average valuation, 28.14 dols. ; the difference, 5.60 dols.; and the percentage difference, 19.9 per cent. This means that in general the purchaser has paid about one-fifth more per pound for nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash when purchased ready mixed than he has had to pay for the same elements of plant food unmixed.

Special Manures.-Of the 33 brands analysed, 10 contain less of a single ingredient than is required by the manufacturer's minimum guarantee and two others are thus deficient in two ingredients.

The average cash ton price of these 33 brands has been 39.18 dols. ; the average valuation, 32.90 dols.; difference, 6.28 dols. ; and the percentage difference, 19 per cent.

Eleven of the special manures are designed particularly for the potato crop. The opinions of manufacturers, as well as those of farmers, would seem to differ widely regarding the fertilizers best suited to this crop, for it will be seen from the tables that the per cent. of nitrogen in the several potato manures ranges from 2 to 53 per cent., the phosphoric acid from 77 to 112, and potash from 42 to 10 per cent. If applied according to the manufacturer's directions, the different potato manures would supply from 13 to 53 pounds of nitrogen, from 52 to 100 pounds of phosphoric acid, and from 30 to 54 pounds of potash to the acre.

Four of the formulas contain about a third of their nitrogen in the form of nitrates, but four others contain no nitrates whatever. Two others contain all but a fraction of one per cent. of their nitrogen in the form of ammonia salts, but four others contain no ammonia. It is evident that each of these several brands may be an excellent general fertilizer.-Oil Paint and Drug Reporter.

Official Memoranda.

(From the Board of Trade Journal.)

PRODUCTION OF STEEL IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE HE following information respecting the steel production in the United States during the year ended 30th June, 189, is extracted from a memorandum by Dr. William M. Sweet, of Philadelphia, to whom was entrusted the collection of statistics of iron and steel under the United States Census Act of 1st March, 1889:-

The total production of steel in the United States in the form of ingots or direct castings during the year ended June 30th, 1890, amounted to 4,466,926 tons of 2,000 pounds, as compared with 1,145,711 tons produced during the year ended May 31st, 1880; an increase of 3,321,215 tons, or 290 per cent.

The following table gives the production of the various kinds of steel in the form of ingots or direct castings in 1880 and 1890. The statistics for 1880 are for the census year ended May 31st, 1880, but for 1890 they cover the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1890. A few steel works produce blister, cemented, and other miscellaneous steel, but the quantity made annually is very small, and the statistics thereof for 1880 and 1890 are not included in the table below.

During 1880, 14 States contained steel-making establishments and steel was produced in that year in each of these States except Rhode Island and Maryland. In 1890 steel works were located in 19 States, and steel was made in that year in each of these States except Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia.

Pennsylvania continues to occupy the position of the leading producer of steel in the United States, producing 57 per cent. of the total pro duction in 1880 and 62 per cent. in 1890. Illinois was second in rank in both years, and Ohio was third. From 1880 to 1890 the increase in production in Pennsylvania was 324 per cent., in Illinois 241 per cent., and in Ohio 314 per cent. Since 1880 the manufacture of steel has been abandoned in two States, viz., Rhode Island and Vermont, and seven States have engaged in its production, viz., Alabama, California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, and West Virginia. BESSEMER STEEL.-The production of Bessemer steel ingots or direct castings in the United States during 1890, including steel made by the Clapp-Griffiths and Robert-Bessemer processes, amounted to 3,877,039 tons of 2,000 pounds, an increase of 294 per cent. over the production of 985,208 tons in 1880. In 1880 there were II completed works in this country for the production of Bessemer steel ingots or direct castings, which were located in Ill nois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, while at the close of 1890 the number of establishments containing Bessemer converters, including the works prepared to manufacture Clapp-Griffiths and Robert-Bessemer steel, had increased to 53, located in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tenessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Of the production of 985,208 tons of Bessemer steel ingots or direct castings in 1880, Pennsylvania produced 56 per cent., Illinios 26 per cent., and New York and Ohio each over 8 per cent. Of the production of 3,877,039 tons of Bessemer steel ingots or direct castings in 1890, including that made by the Clapp-Griffiths and Robert-Bessemer steel works, Pennsylvania produced 59 per cent., Illinois 22 per cent., Ohio nearly 10 per cent, West Virginia 5 per cent., New York over 2 per cent., and Colorado, Massachusetts, and Michigan each less than 1 per

cent.

The Clapp-Griffiths and Robert-Bessemer processes were introduced into the United States during the past decade, the former from Great Britain in 1884, and the latter from France in 1888. Both processes are modifications of the ordinary Bessemer methods, but the converters employed are nearly all of small capacity. The first steel made in this country

by the Clapp-Griffiths process was produced at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1884. During 1890 seven works contained converters for the production of steel by this process, five of which were in operation in that year, producing 83,963 tons of steel ingots or direct castings. No new plants have been erected since 1887, and none are now under construction. The first steel produced in this country by the RobertBessemer process was made at experimental works at Springfield, Ohio, in September, 1888. During 1890 there were six completed works containing converters for the production of steel by this process, and one plant was in course of erection. The process may be said to be still in an experimental stage, but the results that have so far been obtained by its use are reported to be encouraging. During 1890 there were 4,504 tons of Robert-Bessemer steel produced in this country, principally in the form of castings.

The following table gives in tons of 2,000 pounds the production of Bessemer steel ingots or direct castings (the figures for 1890 including the quantity of steel made by the Clapp-Griffiths and Robert-Bessemer processes) and Bessemer steel rails in the United States in 1880 and 1890:

establishments containing open-hearth steel plants, located in 12 States. Since 1880 the manufacture of open-hearth steel has been abandoned in two States, Vermont and Rhode Island, and four States have engaged in its manufacture, New York, Alabama, Indiana, and California. During the past few years, great activity has taken place in the erection of open-hearth steel plants, and indications point to a still larger production of this kind of steel during the next few years.

The crucible steel industry has shown but little progress since 1880, the production in that year amounting to 76,201 tons of 2,000 pounds, as compared with 85,536 tons produced in 1890. In 1880 there were 36 establishments containing crucible steel plants, located in nine States, while in 1890 the number of establishments had increased to 47, located in II States. For purposes requiring special grades of steel the product of the crucible process will be always in demand, but the high cost of manufacture prevents it in many instances from successfully competing in price with the other processes mentioned.

The Basic Process.-The first basic steel made in the United States was produced experimentally at Steelton, Pennsylvania, by the Pennsylvania Steel Company, on May 24, 1884, in a Bessemer converter. The beginning of the manufacture of basic steel in this country as a commercial product, however, dates from 1888, on the 28th of March of which year the first basic open-hearth steel was produced at the Homestead Steel works of Carnegie, Phipps and Company, Limited, at Homestead, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Since that date the manufacture of basic open-hearth steel has been continued at these works, and during 1890 this firm commenced the erection of eight additional open-hearth furnaces for the manufacture of basic steel, of which number four are now in operation, and the remaining four furnaces are expected to be ready for working in a short time. When completed these works will contain 16 open-hearth furnaces prepared to manufacture basic steel.

253,514

17,952 867,805

201,136

5,100

57,870

The remarkable growth that has taken place in the Bessemer steel industry of this country, during the past ten years, is well shown by the above figures. The increase in the number of establishments producing Bessemer steel has been the result, almost entirely, of the demand for steel in forms other than rails. All of the 11 Bessemer steel plants that were completed in 1880, had been built to manufacture steel for rails, many of them being added to previously existing iron rail mills. Of the 53 Bessemer steel plants at the close of 1890, only 14 made steel rails during that year, and, of the total quantity of rails produced, over 90 per cent. was made by ten of these works. Thus, while the production of steel rails has nearly trebled in amount since 1880, the number of establishments engaged in their manufacture has shown but little change in the ten years, although many of these works have greatly increased in size and efficiency. The competition in the manufacture of Bessemer steel rails has compelled many of the rail mills to convert a large part of the steel produced by them into forms other than rails, the production of rails, to any considerable extent at the present time, being possible only in works favourably located for the supply of cheap raw materials, and operated under the latest and most improved methods of manufacture. Included in the total production of Bessemer steel rails, during 1890, were 65,273 tons rolled in iron rolling mills from purchased Bessemer steel blooms.

While the demand for steel rails has shown a remarkable growth since 1880, thereby forcing a practical discontinuance of the manufacture of iron rails, there has also been a rapidly increasing use of steel for nails, bars, rods, wire, and other miscellaneous forms. The growth of the Bessemer steel industry in this direction is clearly shown in the number of plants that have been added to iron rolling mills during the past ten years, for the purpose of manufacturing steel in forms other than rails. The increased quantity of Bessemer steel manufactured in these miscellaneous forms is approximately shown by a comparison of the ingots and rails produced, over 75 per cent. of the ingots made in 1880 being converted into rails, while in 1890 the percentage of rails made to ingots produced was only 53 per cent.

Open-hearth and Crucible Steel.-The production of open-hearth steel in the form of ingots or direct castings during 1890 amounted to 504,351 tons of 2,000 pounds, as compared with 84,302 tons made during 1880. In 1880 there were 25 establishments containing openhearth steel plants, located in ten States and in 1890 there were 58

tion respecting the German beer-brewing industry :

While Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Baden, and Alsace-Lorraine have each for itself a special beer tax, the remainder of Germany lying within the Customs district is subject to a brewery tax for the account of the Imperial Treasury. This district was materially enlarged during the year, by the admission of Hamburg, Bremen, and certain parts of Prussia and Oldenburg, representing 38 breweries-six in Altoona and Wandsbeck, 17 in Hamburg, 15 in Bremen. One half of these-six in Altoona and Wandsbeck, seven in Hamburg, and six in Bremenbrewed highly-fermented beer, while the other half-ten in Hamburg and nine in Bremen-produced unfermented sorts.

From October 15th (the date of the admission of Hamburg, Bremen, &c. into the Customs Union) to the end of the fiscal year (March 31st), these breweries produced 107,039 hectolitres* of highly-fermented and 262,099 hectolitres of unfermented beer, a total of 369,138 hectolitres, the tax amounting to 272,373 marks, and the rebate of taxes on exported beer being 4,858 marks. How great was the consumption of beer in those places may be seen from the following figures. In 1887, 419,603 hectolitres were imported into Hamburg, of which a very small part was again exported. In Bremen, exclusive of what was afterwards exported, 42,751 hectolitres were imported. In the same year 620,966 double centnerst were exported from the Customs district to those parts of Germany outside of the Customs frontier, this being almost one-half of the total export, 1,314,762 double

centners.

From the official reports it appears that the German beer production, which in the preceding year had risen, increased again in the fiscal year 1888-89, although the consumption was interfered with by the unfavourable weather of the summer of 1888, and also by the good fruit crops. The increase in the beer production in 1888-89 was confined entirely to the under-fermented (untergahrige) sorts, the highly-fermented beers having fallen off in amount. This was due, in part, to the bad weather, which was unfavourable to the consumption of highlyfermented (obergahrige) beers; but chiefly to the growing popularity of the under-fermented sorts, whose sale by the breweries was increased through depôts in other places, discounts to dealers, &c., and particularly through the growing popularity, in town and land, of bottled beer. As a consequence, the smaller breweries of the highly-fermented sorts decrease both in number and in amount of production.

The grain crop was bad, and the quality of the barley raised within the brewing tax district was not nearly what might be desired; consequently, large quantities were imported from South Germany, Bohemia, and Moravia, and small quantities from Denmark