: steady: 45s. to 50s. for best blue and yellow; fine impalpable ground, £7. Wolfram and tungstate of soda, unaltered, and tungstate metal easier. Chrome metal 5s. 6d. per fb. Tungsten alloys, 2s. per lb. AntiChrome ore: Higher percentages still enquired for. mony ore continues firm: 16. to £18. for fair quality. Antimony metal, £65. Uranium, 24s. to 26s. Asbestos: best rock, £17. to £18.; brown grades, 14. to £15. Potter's lead smalls, £12. to £13.; selected lump, £14. to £15. Calamine steady, 60s. to 80s. Strontia, steady: sulphate (celestine) steady, 16s. 6d. to 17s. Carbonate (native) £15. to £16.; powdered (manufactured), 11. to £12. Limespar: English manufactured, old G. G. B. brand, brings full prices; 45s. for ground English; German, 50s. Plumbago: Best Ceylon lump, £25. to £35.; good, 20. to £21.; chips, £8. to £16.; best ground, £20., £25., and £30.; Italian and Bohemian, 4. to 12. per ton. French sand, in cargoes, 16s. to 175. Ferro-manganese, 70%, 10. Bitumen, finest picked, £35.; original prime, £18. to £23.; and good, £8. Ground mica, 50. China clay Fair business doing; common, 18s. 6d. ; good medium, 225. 6d. to 25s.; best, 30s. to 35s. (at Runcorn). MISCELLANEOUS CHEMICALS. THURSDAY. Business in most chemicals has been fairly good during the past week. Bleaching powder firm and in good demand for prompt delivery. There is, however, very little to be obtained owing to some makers being fully sold, and others not being eager to quote just now. Prices remain about the same, viz. :- £6. for softwood on rails, and £6. 10s. hardwood f.o.b. Soda ash moderately brisk but prices unchanged. Salt-cake moves but slowly, price about 24s., rails Widnes. Soda crystals are selling more freely. Caustic soda is in rather less demand, some makers, however, are fairly full of orders for this month. Present prices :-70% white, £6. 7s. 6d., 60% £5. 10s., cream, 60% £5. 7s. 6d., rails Widnes and St. Helens. Potash, caustic and carbonate, still keep firm and scarce. Chlorate of potash rather easier @ 41⁄2d. to 45%d. per lb. f.o.b. Litharge is in better request, but prices generally are slightly lower. Acetates and nitrate of lead dull and very low prices are being quoted. Acetates of lime, brown and grey, slow of sale, values unchanged. Acetic acid is still in favour of buyers. Acetate of soda slightly more in demand, present value about £16. ex. ship. Sulphate of copper very scarce, and is realising "fancy" prices for spot delivery, £31. has been paid this week. The demand for future supplies still keeps wonderfully good considering the high prices which are being quoted, viz. :-August £25., September £23., October £22. 10s. Carbolic acids rather dull, but prices remain unchanged. Borax is more enquired after, £28. for crystal, and £29. 10s. for powder are quoted, but something under these figures would doubtless buy. Nitrate of soda quiet at 8s. 6d. to 8s. 9d. according to quality. Roll sulphur steady at £6. 2s. 6d. f.o.b. TAR AND AMMONIA PRODUCTS. The benzol market is again a bit easier, and prices generally are about a penny less than last week. There is still a good demand for half-finished products, crude naphtha, light oil, &c., and there is plenty of business doing in creosote and crude carbolic. Pitch is now out of season, but a very fair quantity is being used up in this country for patent fuel making, which trade is very brisk. The Salford tar has now been let for another year; it has gone, we believe, to Hamor Lockwood of Miles Platting, but the price has not yet transpired. Sulphate of ammonia is a shade weaker, and £11. 15s. has, we hear, been accepted at Hull, which is also the price at which a fair business has been done at Leith. Beckton values are nominally £12., and outside London makes £11. 17s. 6d. The port of Leith is at present doing all the shipping, and consequently the prices that have been accepted there, are now governing the values obtainable at other ports. Gazette Notices. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. HORROCKS AND A. J. ENTWISLE, under the style of Thomas Entwisle and Son Great Lever, near Bolton, ironfounders, and under the style of the Clayton-bridge Dyeing and Finishing Company, Clayton-bridge, near Manchester, dyers, bleachers, and finishers. L. C. MOLLET AND F. VUAGNAT, under the style of Ledger and Co., Lant-street, Southwark, vendors of the Ledger's Liebig's extract of meat and Ledger's disinfecting powder and fluid, &c. Sir J. J. JENKINS, F. W. BOND, J. H. ROGERS, J. BOURNE, C. C. TURNBULL, AND J. MORRISON, under the style of the Swansea Tinplate Company, Swansea, tin and terne plate manufacturers; as far as regards Sir J. J. Jenkins. PEARCE, GEORGE JOHN (trading as Pearce and Co.), oilman. First and final dividend of 3s. id., any d offices, 33, Carey-street, Lincoln's-inn. CHITTENDEN, EDWARD JAMES BOURNE (trading as mondsey-wall, Bermondsey, and Lower Deptford-ro cotta manufacturer-second and final div. of 9d., July 43, Moorgate-street, E.C. DAINTON, ARTHUR HENRY, Wood-street, Westminster of 61⁄2d., any day, Chief Official Receiver's offices, 33, CROSSLEY, ATKINSON, Mamhilad, near Pontypool, m first and final div. of 9d., July 26, Official Receiver's o HORABIN, JOHN, JUN. (formerly trading as John Ho within-Widnes, aërated water manufacturer-first an July 19, Official Recciver's office, Liverpool. The Patent L The following List has been compiled express TRADE JOURNAL by G. F. Redfern and Co., P Street, Finsbury, London, and at Paris and B APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS PA Preventing Waste in the Removal of Liquids from 10,939. July 8. son. Fly Papers. Complete Specification.) E. Wilson a July 8. Apparatus for Heating Purposes.--(Complete Sp 10,9 55. July 8. Treatment of Tanning Extracts. B. Nicholson Roller Mill. C. N. Hearn. 10,969. July 8. Detection of Leakage of Water Gas. T. F. Ferna Storage Batteries.-(Complete Specification.) W. P. Sheet Metal Annealing Furnaces. E. J. Franc July 9. Connecting Carbon Filaments to Metallic Cond cation.) H. H. Lake. 11,071. July 9. Dyeing Yarn in Hanks. T. O. Arnfield. 11,098. Bisulphide of Carbon T Parker and A. E. Robins Gas Retorts. F. Sanders. 11,125. July 10. Ju Drying Slurry. G. Batchelor. 11,128. July 10. 11,23 Recovery of Carbonic Acid. J. Meikle, junr. 11,26 Treatment of Crude Cotton. R. Hunt. 11,272. Ju Pickling Metallic Plates for Galvanising Purpose: July 13. Hard Potash and similar Soap from Fats. H. Eu Correspondence. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. D. B.-Not more than 20 bushels to the acre. 2. Ten tons. JACO. We should discount very considerably any testimonial given by an expert, for advertising purposes. All depends upon how the samples were obtained. R. C.-You could not obtain the services of a better man. ALKALI.—If syndicates are wrong why do you support them, even in a small degree? J. W.-There is no patent in the principle of the still you mention, but only in the construction. W. B.-We cannot give addresses of the buyers of goods. See our sub-leader in last week's issue. H. R. C.-It is quite possible to ascertain its composition. R. T. D.-Purchase Wanklyn's "Water Analysis," which will give you all the information you require. You will need a considerable amount of practice. P. R. A.-By far the largest quantity of glucose is imported from the States. JACQUES.-Magnesium salts have been extracted from sea-water for many years. FRICTION.-More work has been done on this subject in America, than here. 2. There is no index. STUDENT. The theory that when a trade declines, the workman must change his craft, is not so easy to carry into practice. Try it for yourself; you have been brought up a chemist, now attempt steel engraving or gun-barrel turning. O. O. Declined, with thanks. C. V. We are not aware that such a process has ever been attempted. W. NELL-Fifty six and one hundred and twelve. SODA. See our reply to W. B. above. I. M.-Suitable only for our advertising columns. C. M.-We have no information on the subject, nor do we know where it could be obtained. PETER. Yes. In Italy and Sicily. ALKALI. We believe Stevenson and Williamson were the first to use the "Iron Man.' R. R.-See our reply to I. M. and W. B. C. A. and H. N.-You will find the English makes given on p. 163, Vol. I. of this journal. Foreign make we cannot say. Exports to the various countries may also be obtained from our columns. W. T. K.-We have not forgotten your query. It shall have attention in due course, but will be treated later on in Chemical Engineering. C. and W.-You will find the address of a mineral merchant in our advertising columns. T. R. P.-We are sorry your query has been overlooked. We are not aware of any treatise that will give you the information you seek. TRENT. We do not know any specialist in the direction you ask. Much depends upon what you require done. S. D.-No doubt it is wood naphtha coming into London and coal tar naphtha going out from Hull, we state this when we can, but shippers do not always give the information. C. W.-Borax making is considered a secret in England, and not much that is reliable has been published concerning it. THE RAILWAY RATES AGITATION. MEETINGS of several traders' organisations were held in Birming ham, a few days ago, with a view to consider the circular in which the Board suggest that some attempt should be made to settle the differences between the railway companies and the traders who object to their proposed maximum rates and charges. It is urged by the Board of Trade that some settlement might well be arrived at by representatives of the parties in conference, without the assistance of the Board or its representatives; and meantime that body reserves for future consideration the important questions in dispute. -A meeting of the committee representing the Worcestershire and Warwickshire Chambers of Agriculture, the Warwickshire County Council, the Birmingham and District Cornfreighters' Association, and the Kidderminster Railway and Canal Freighters' Association took place at the Midland Hotel. Mr. W. E. Wilson presided; and there were also present Messrs. J. Blick, F. E. Muntz, K. F. Todd, H. Barlow, R. Woodward, T. Briggs, and Frank Impey (secretary). It was stated by the Secretary that, in accordance with the directions of the last meeting, he had lodged with the Board of Trade the objections of the committee against the proposed rates and charges of the London and North-Western, Midland, and Great Western Railway Companies, and had received from the Board the circular referred to above. After considerable discussion upon the suggestions contained in the circular, the committee resolved to take steps to meet the companies in question, and instructed the secretary to write to their respective chief offices with a view to securing early appointments.The Birmingham and District Railway and Canal Freighters' Asssociation held a meeting at the Council House, under the presidency of the Mayor (Alderman Barrow), to consider the same circular, and agreed to the following resolution :-" That this association, whilst recognising the importance of an exchange of views between the objectors and the railway companies, is of opinion that a more satisfactory result would be likely to issue from interviews between the parties in conformity with the Board of Trade's circular of June 10th, as to a settlement of differences relating to classification if the more important questions of maximum rates and charges and the general principles involved were first settled by the Board of Trade." Mr. FRANK IMPEY (the secretary) stated that, by the instruction of the chairman, he had attended two important conferences in London last week-one convened by the Railway and Canal Traders' Association, and the other by the Lancashire and Cheshire Conference on Railway Rates. They were held to consider the circular under discussion, and to determine whether it would be desirable to form a committee representative of all objectors throughout the country; and they passed resolutions declaring such a committee to be desirable, and urging that at any meeting between objectors and the companies' representatives, some official or representative of the Board of Trade should be present, inasmuch as, if the Board of Trade were to be the final arbitrators in the matter, it would be expedient that they should be fully cognisant of every stage of the proceedings. The meeting decided, upon hearing Mr. Impey's report, that it would be desirable to co-operate with the general committee of objectors to be constituted, and directed him to write expressing the willingness of the association to do so. Mr. Albert Phillips, Mr. G. J. Kempson, and Mr. Impey were nominated to represent the association. The committee of the Metallic Bedstead Association met yesterday at Mr. Frank Impey's office, 41, Temple-street, on similar business to the two bodies already named. The Secretary stated that objections had been lodged against the proposals of the North Eastern, Great Eastern, London and North-Western, Caledonian, Midland, and Great Western Railway Companies. The following resolution was adopted :-"That this committee, having considered the circular issued by the Board of Trade dated June 10th, is of opinion that the settlement of the more important questions reserved therein for the future consideration of the Board should have preceded any conference between objectors and the railway companies as to the details of the classification and other minor points arising thereon." Mr. Phillips and the secretary, who, it was understood, were acting upon a general committee of objectors in London, were requested to report the decision of that committee to a future meeting, and meantime it was resolved to take no steps to meet the railway companies. FRENCH METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZERS. THE HE recent law respecting artificial manures provided, among other things, that suitable regulations should be published by the administration to insure uniformity in chemical analyses and avoid contentions, when fertilizers are sold according to the percentage of useful constituents. Artificial manures are often purchased at the rate of so much for combined nitrogen, so much for soluble phosphoric acid, &c., and chemists know that to have comparable analyses it is almost indispensable that similar processes be followed. Consequently, with the advice of experts, the following rules have been set down :-(1) Nitrogen shall be estimated as follows: (a) In the shape of nitric acid; turn into nitrogen binoxide by ebullition with ferrous chloride, and measure the gas evolved, (b) Ammoniacal nitrogen; distil with caustic alkali in an ascension condenser, and titrate the ammonia. (c) Organic nitrogen; all nitrates having been removed, treat with either soda lime, and titrate the ammonia formed; or with sulphuric acid containing a little mercury, and estimate the ammonia sulphate by the ammonia process as above. (2) Phosphoric acid: (a) The total acid; dissolve the substance in hydrochloric acid in the presence of ammonia citrate to keep iron, alumina, and lime in solution, and estimate, after precipitation, as ammonio-magnesia phosphate, in the shape of magnesia pyrophosphate. When too much lime is present, separate it out with oxalate of ammonia. (b) Soluble phosphoric acid; macerate the specimen for a reasonable time with distilled water, and treat the filtered liquid as above. (c) Phosphate soluble in ammonia citrate; macerate for twelve hours in alkaline ammonia citrate, and treat the filtrate as has been said before. Note: In the three foregoing processes the phosphoric acid may be first precipitated with ammonia nitro-molybdate and then estimated as magnesia pyrophosphate, as has been explained. (3) Potash: (a) Estimate as perchlorate, which is to be washed with alcohol, dried and weighed. (b) With p atinum; precipitate the potash with platinum chloride, wash the precipitate with alcohol, and reduce it with soda formiate; weigh the platinum black and calculate the corresponding weight of potash. (c) As double chloride of platinum; wash the precipitate with alcohol, dry, and weigh it. Of course proper directions are also given for taking the samples to be analysed. And, finally, a scale of prices is established as follows. For each element estimated 10f., and for the report 25f. For one fertilizer, however, whatever may be the number of elements evaluated, the cost of the whole analysis shall not exceed 50f. To further insure the operation of the law, a number of experts have been appointed in all parts of France, who shall be entitled to 6f. for each three hours' sitting when taking samples, travelling expenses to be borne by the State. AS THE NATURE OF NICKEL AND COBALT. BY DR. FLEITMANN. SI first became acquainted with Messrs. Krüss and Schmidt's remarkable communication, to the effect that a new, hitherto unknown metal is contained in cobalt and nickel, through the article in the Chemiker Zeitung (1889, 13, 113), I may perhaps be permitted to make the following remarks in this place in the interest of the nickel industry. I have repeatedly tested the most varied samples of nickel, as well as commercial cobalt oxide, most carefully, according to the methods described by Messrs. Krüss and Schmidt for the supposed new metal, and even when 50 grms. of the metal were employed, have not obtained a weighable quantity of any substance which justified the supposition that a hitherto unknown metal was present. My experiments were not made with any view of intruding upon the held of research which Messrs. Krüss and Schmidt wish to be reserved for themselves, but were rather undertaken to endeavour to definitely confirm the extremely important fact of the existence of the new metal as soon as possible, in the interest of the nickel industry, with which I have been connected for 38 years. Finding myself unable to obtain other than negative results, I wrote to Dr. Krüss on February 13th; requesting him to be kind enough to send me a small quantity of the new metal discovered by him, so that I could convince myself of its existence. It was not until March 29th that I received a communication from Dr. Krüss, in which he promised to prepare some specimens for me after Easter. I have vainly expected these up to the present date, and since my renewed endeavours to obtain some of the new metal have always proved fruitless, it becomes even more probable, to my mind, that gnomium exists only in the imagination of its discoverer. It is certainly unwise to oppose positive observations with negative results, and I therefore do not propose to in any way decide the scientific side of the question at present. I prefer rather to await from Messrs. Kruss and Schmidt themselves a confirmation or contradiction of their communications. My object is simply to allay the anxiety which has been caused by the statements of Messrs. Krüss and Schmidt among my colleagues, the producers and consumers of nickel, by formulating my convictions in accordance with the experimental results which I have obtained in the following statements. 1. If a hitherto unknown metal really does exist which regularly accompanies nickel and cobalt, it can only be present in extremely small quantities. and does not amount to anything approaching 2 per cent. 2. These small quantities exert absolutely no important influence in the ductility of nickel, which in the state of purity in which it has hitherto been known, is as malleable and ductile as the softest iron. 3. The methods patented by Krüss for the purification of nickel are devoid of any real value, since they are partly old, and partly unpractical. If commercial nickel and cobalt are treated in the form of hydro-oxide according to Messrs. Krüss and Schmidt's directions, with large quantities of caustic soda, varying amounts, depending on the purity of the material employed, of all the different impurities which usually occur in these oxides are certainly obtained, together with small quantities of nickel and cobalt oxides. The impurities consist, according to the origin of the nickel or cobalt, of small amounts of lead oxide, zinc oxide, arsenic acid, manganic acid, molybdic acid, silica, alumina, oxide of cerium, chromic acid, &c. The nickel or cobalt oxide simultaneously dissolved as a rule does not amount to more than onetwentieth of the oxide employed. If it be separated from the various impurities which are present in the alkaline extract and reconverted into nickel or cobalt oxide, it proves to be now insoluble in caustic soda, so that its previous solubility seems to be dependent upon the presence of the impurities, and especially of arsenic acid, silica, and alumina. If the alkaline solution, containing the impurities mentioned above, be treated with hydrochloric acid until the precipitate which at first forms is redissolved, and ammonium carbonate be then added, a remarkable mixture of different oxides and acids is certainly obtained, which is well fitted to puzzle anyone who is not thoroughly accustomed to work with such mixtures. It seems to be not improbable that Messrs. Krüss and Schmidt have been obtaining mixtures of this kind. The precaution which they take of treating with alkali at a low temperature (below 10°), confirms me in my supposition, since precipitation often takes place on warming, the manganic acid and dissolved lead oxide being often converted into oxide of manganese and peroxide of lead. Still, as already stated, this is simply a supposition, and I shall willingly be convinced of the truth of some other view provided that better proofs are brought forward than have been produced in favour of the existence of the new metal by its two discoverers. The communications lately published by Prof. Cl. Winkler (Ber. chem. gas. 1889, 22.890, Chem. Ztg. Report, 1889 13.129) seem also to render its existence somewhat doubtful.-Chemiker Zeitung. THE SUGAR AND SUGAR BEETS. STATE OF THE CROPS IN EUROPE. HE condition of the beet crop in France and Belgium is exceedingly good, in spite of the very violent storms which have been almost universally prevalent. Beetroots are growing with astonishing rapidity. and in spite of the fact that certain operations have been delayed, the crop as a whole is very satisfactory. The vigour of the plants and the continual rains have thrown our cultivators a little behind hand, everything requiring to be done at once. The second dressing has not yet been applied, but a few days of dry weather will see this and other needful operations successfully completed. Insects have caused some partial losses, but they are disappearing, and their evil effects have already been largely removed. There is less complaint than usual in Pas-de-Calais, which has hitherto been the district most seriously injured in this way. In Germany, the weather remains favourable, and vegetation is making important progress. A general and abundant rain would, however, be very valuable. The first plots are already well developed, and thus escape the insects, being on the whole very satisfactory. In spite of the relatively late sowing, the crop is more advanced than it was last year. Reports as to increased sowing are contradictory; one authority puts it at 10%, while others say that it is merely proportional to the increased number of works, which would only make it about 22%. In Austro-Hungary, in spite of late sowing the state of the crop is also more advanced than last year, and prospects are at present favourable. With respect to extended sowing, the estimate of 15% is not far from the truth. This amount will almost certainly not be exceeded, and if it requires alteration, should rather be reduced. In Russia the drought began to be very injurious to the plants, but we learn that all uneasiness has been recently removed by timely rain. Estimates for the whole of Europe point to an increase of 7 or 10% on last year, but we do not yet know what will be the quantity and quality of the coming crop. -L'Engrais. THE PRACTICAL EFFECT OF A DUTY ON PRICES. THE 'HE duty on common salt, or chloride of sodium, has, with the competition of the domestic manufacture in 15 States, diminished the price in ten years 12 per cents on each 56 pounds. The duty on plate glass with the competing manufacture in numerous States, has diminished the price per square foot to the consumer from 2'50 dols. to 75 cents. and 1 dol. The duty on soda ash has, with 50,000 tons now annually manufactured in the country, diminished the price from 48 dols. per ton to 28 dols. per ton of 2,000 pounds. The duty of soda ash is 5 dols per ton, or cent. per pound. Competition and improved processes of manufacture have diminished the price of steel rails from 155 dols. per ton to 27 dols. to 28 dols. per ton. The Free Trader says "The tariff is a tax.' The duty on steel rails is now 17 dols. per ton, and was about 45 dols. per ton. The Free Trader says the foreign article or commodity imported is increased in price to the consumer by precisely the amount of duty paid upon it. This duty has the effect, says the Free Trader, of enhancing the value of the domestic product by a similar amount, the consumer paying the enhanced prices inuring to the benefit of the domestic manufacturer or producer. There is a proposition in logic that no cat has two tails, but every cat has one more tail than no cat; therefore, every cat has three tails. The Free Trader's theory can be illustrated, however, not proved, by the commodity Indian corn, the duty on which is 10 cents per 56 pounds. The imports of Indian corn into this country in 1888 were less than 31,000 bushels. The corn produced in the country in 1888 was 1,937,000,000 bushels. If this Free-Trade theory be true, the duty of 10 cents per bushel was added to the price, causing the consumer who purchased it to pay 31 dols. more for the corn, besides which it raised the price of the 1,936,000,000 bushels of corn by 193,600,000 dols. The producers of corn in this country have not heard of any such marvellous effect on the value of their corn crop. The fact is that the consumer did not pay this 10 cents on the 31,000 bushels of corn imported, neither was the value of the home crop advanced by a millionth part of a mill. The importer of the corn netted 10 cents less than the current market price, for he paid the duty. This country in 20 years has produced scores of thousands of millions of bushels of corn. About 97 per cent. of the whole has found a market within the country; only about 3 per cent. of it has found a market in foreign countries. The price in this country is determined by the ratio of quantity produced in the country to the demand. The smaller the crop the higher the price, and the larger the crop the cheaper the price. The home market for corn is more than 93 times larger value to the growers of Indian corn than the foreign market. This corn is grown on 75,000,000 acres of land, employing millions of labourers in its production, and nearly 4,000,000 cars for its transportation.-American Economist. Trade Notes. ELECTRIC LIGHTING.-The Edison and Swan United Electric Light Company have resolved for the present to give up installation work, and in a circular say: "We intend to avail ourselves of every improvement which can be introduced into the manufacture of lamps, fittings, and instruments. We have made arrangements with Messrs. Mather and Platt, electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic engineers, of the Salford Iron Works, Manchester, to undertake the installation work, which we have heretofore carried on. Messrs. Mather and Platt have been sole manufacturers for the company of the well-known "Edison-Hopkinson' dynamo, and will continue to make the same under licence from the company. Mr. Blackburn, who has been the company's resident engineer for some years past, has joined the staff of Messrs. Mather and Platt." GERMAN SUGAR STATISTICS.-In the period from August 1, 1888, to May 15, 1889, there were prepared within the German Customs Union, with reference to the bounty, the following quantities of sugar: the figures for the same period in the preceding year being given for the sake of comparison. For direct export, a. 261,478,111 kilos. (236,262,095 kilos.), b. 109, 101,529 kilos. (90,998,688 kilos.), c. 12,962,182 kilos. (5,862,682 kilos.) For reception in bonded warehouses a. 186,348,317 kilos. (89,271,294 kilos.), b. 19,816,849 kilos. (21,977,570 kilos), c. 2,579,385 kilos. (2,116,406 kilos.) Taken out of bond for free sale, a. 53,496,137 kilos. (27,010,249 kilos.), b. 792,704 kilos. (506,450 kilos.), c. 632,412 kilos. (119,167 kilos.) The letters signify a. raw sugar of at least 90 per cent., and refined sugar between 98 and 90 per cent., b. candies and sugar in loaves and crystals, c. other sugar of at least 98 per cent.—i -Kahlow. : : Market Reports. TAR AND AMMONIA PRODUCTS. THE benzol market remains in much the same condition as quoted in our last report. At this season of the year benzol is generally quiet, so that it is nothing extraordinary to find prices declining during the hot weather, especially when the make of 90s. benzol is so large from the carbonizing works of the country. To-day's prices may be considered as 2/8 for 90s., and 2/- for 50/90s., while it is reported that Scotch benzol has been offered at several pence below these prices. Most other tar products are firm, and perhaps this accounts for the high prices which have during the past few weeks been paid for tar. Birkenhead tar, it is reported, has gone for 32/- at the works, costing the purchaser certainly not less than 38/- in his works. Anthracene stands at 11d. to 111⁄2d., perhaps 111⁄2d. for B quality would be the more exact figure. Pitch remains as quoted in our last. The Sulphate market is very quiet, and while Beckton stands at £12., ordinary outside London makes can be obtained for 11. 17s. 6d. The Leith market is busy, and prices range from 11. 6s. 3d. down to 11. 15s. Hull and Liverpool, £11. 17s. 6d., but it is rumoured that LII. 16s. 3d. has been accepted. REPORT OF MANURE MATERIALS. BUSINESS continues on a moderate scale, and prices quoted a week ago are fully maintained. For Charleston Rock 104d. per unit for cargoes c.i.f. to U. K. is required, and doubtful whether less would be accepted, shippers not readily finding sufficiently easy freight. Belgian remains as last quoted, the lower grades being freely offered. Further business has been done in Somme, 55/60%, at 834 d. per unit, th rise, and we understand in the higher grades at the advanced prices quoted a week ago. Further sales of 70% Canadian have also been made at rod. per unit, 4th rise, and that price would still be business, delivered Thames, Mersey, or Clyde 75/80% unchanged. For Bombay Bone Meal £5. still required autumn steamer shipment, delivered ex quay, Liverpool or Hull, but no further business reported. £5. 2s. 6d. ex quay, Clyde. On spot, £5. being paid for retail orders, ex store. Fifty tons Crushed Calcutta Bones, shortly due, sold at £4. 12s. 6d., ex quay, Liverpool, and nothing further offering. Considerable quantities of Mediterranean and Brazil Bones having arrived at Liverpool, the prices have given way, and the sales have been mostly at £4. 6s. 3d. to £4. 7s. 6d., ex quay. Nothing under £5. would do for River Plate cargoes, autumn shipment to U. K. or Continent; further sales to the States have, we understand, been made during the week at the parity of about £5. 2s. 6d. Nitrate of Soda continues very firm, and closing value is 8s. 71⁄2d. on spot. Due cargoes are worth 8s. 54d. to 8s. 6d., and SeptemberOctober shipments 9s. 11⁄2d., U. K. or Continent. During the week 400 bags of River Plate Dried Blood arrived at Liverpool, sold at 10s. 41⁄2d. per unit of ammonia, ex quay, and that price would be paid for further quantity; 10s. 6d., free on rails at works, required for home prepared. There is a healthy tone all round, and, with the exception of Nitrate, the supplies seem scarcely equal to the demand. The improvement in prices of Bleaching Powder and Caustic Soda during the past fortnight has brought out buyers who were holding back in anticipation of a further decline. Bleaching Powder is now firm, at £6. on rails at makers works, and 70's Caustic Soda at £6. 12s. 6d. The important proposals affecting the Alkali Trade have been considered at a meeting of representatives held in London this week, and though nothing decisive has yet been agreed upon, it is not improbable that the scheme now proposed for the regulation of output will ultimately be adopted. It is no doubt due to the prospect of an effective co-operation that Chlorate of Potash has advanced from 4%d. to 434 d. on the Spot, and there are only few sellers at the latter figure. Sulphate of Copper still very scarce, and nominally £25. 10s. to £26. for prompt delivery; 24. 10s. August, 23. 10s. September. Potash Carbonate 90's £17. 10s. ex-ship and brisk demand. Acetates are without change, but prices show no inclination to further decline. Muriate of Ammonia scarce, and in good demand. Bichromates of Potash and Soda have been reduced 1⁄2 per lb. during the past week, and now stand 4d, and 3d. per lb. respectively. Chromic Acid is without change and at 61⁄2d. per lb. Vitriol makers, or rather sellers, are still fairly busy with orders, but are beginning to overtake the heavy demand which has existed for some months past, and supplies are more easily obtainable. Carbolic Acid Crystals still find ready sale: 34/35° at 1/1 per lb. Liquid Tar Acids are at a discount, and contrary to old precedents, are selling in the summer months at lower prices than during the winter. Good qualities of Cresylic Acid now obtainable at 11d. per gal. Crude Carbolic is still well maintained in value, owing to the demand for the crystal product. WEST OF SCOTLAND CHEMICALS. GLASGOW, TUESDAY. The chief local market novelty is a concession on the part of the associated producers of bichromate of potash and bichromate of soda, whose prices, unchanged for some years, have been 41⁄2d. per lb. for the former and 31⁄2d. for the latter, less discount as quoted. These factories are three in number, all situated in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, and with the exception of a small works in Yorkshire, they are alone as representing the industry in Great Britain, although Ger man competition is pretty close and keen. Demand of late at the above figures has been very indifferent, leading partly to the measure of the present week, which is a reduction of d. upon each article in order if possible to stimulate the consumption of the Scotch make, and at the same time to deter prospective opposition, of which of late there has been some talk in and around Glasgow. Sulphate of ammonia towards the close of the week steadily weakened, and holders, however reluctantly, were compelled to recognise 11. 15s. as the best procurable value for spot, at which figure several sales have passed. Up to to-day the position cannot be described as having improved, and there is very little indeed being carried through for forward delivery. In most of the other chemicals the situation is perceptibly stronger, and prices have advanced a further step in caustic soda, bleaching powder, sulphate of copper, and soda crystals. The general market has not promised so hopefully for a space. General prices current are :—Soda crystals, 44s. 6d. net Tyne; alum in lump, £4. 15s., less 2% % Glasgow ; borax, English refined, £30., and boracic acid, £37. 10s., net Glasgow soda ash, 48/52°, Id., less 5 % Tyne; caustic soda, white, 76°, £8. to £8. 5s. ; 70/72°, £6. 10s. ; 60/62°, £5. 15s. and cream, 60/62°, £5. 5s. to £5. 10s., all less 2% % Liverpool; bicarbonate of soda, 5 cwt. casks, £4. 15s., and 1 cwt. casks, £5., net Tyne; refined alkali, 48/52°, 14 d., less 1 % Tyne; saltcake, 22s. 6d. to 23s. 6d; bleaching powder, £6. 17s. 6d. to £7, f.o.r. Glasgow; bichromate of potash, 4d., and of soda 3d., less 5 and 6% to Scotch and English buyers respectively; chlorate of potash, 4%d., less 5% any port; nitrate of soda, 8/6d. to 8/9d. ; sulphate of ammonia, II. 158. f.o.b. Leith; salammoniac, first and second white, £36. and £34., less 22% any port; sulphate of copper, £27. ; paraffin scale, hard, 21 d., soft, 2d.; paraffin wax, 120, semi-refined, 24.; paraffin spirit (naphtha), 41⁄2d.; paraffin oil (burning), 534d. to 6d. ; ditto (lubricating), 865°, £4. 5s. to £4. 10s. ; 885°, £5. 15s.to £6., and 890/895, 6. 15s. to £7. 5s. Week's imports of sugar at Greenock were 76 hogsheads and 22,913 bags. THE LIVERPOOL COLOUR MARKET. : COLOURS are quiet. Ochres: Oxfordshire quoted at £10., £12., 14.,and £16.; Derbyshire, 50s. to 55s.; Welsh, best, 50s. to 55s.; seconds, 47s. 6d. ; and common, 18s.; Irish, Devonshire, 40s. to 455.; French J.C., 55s., 45s. to 60s.; M.C., 65s. to 67s. 6d. Umber Turkish, cargoes to arrive, 40s. to 50s.; Devonshire, 50s. to 55s. White lead, £21. 10s. to £22. Red lead, £19. to £20. Oxide of zinc : V.M. No. 1, 22.; V.M. No. 2, £21. Venetian red, £6. 10s. Cobalt Prepared oxide, 10s. 6d.; black, 9s. 9d.; blue, 6s. 6d. Zaffres: No. 1, 3s. 6d. ; No. 2, 2s. 6d. Terra Alba: Finest white, 60s. ; good, 40s. to 50s. Rouge: Best, £24.; ditto for jewellers, Is. per lb. Drop black, 25s. to 28s. 6d. Oxide of iron, prime quality, £10. to £15. Paris white, 60s. Emerald green, 10d. per lb. Derbyshire red. 60s. Vermilionette, 5d. to 7d. per lb. THE LIVERPOOL MINERAL MARKET. The The firmness previously reported has increased, and prices all round are better. Manganese has further advanced, and sales have been made at considerably higher prices. Magnesite: Raw lump continues easier, with unusually large stocks, and larger stocks ready for shipment, the production being in excess of the demand; raw ground, £6. 10s., and calcined ground, 10. to £11. Bauxite (Irish Hill brand) specially continues in strong demand, at full prices; 20s. for lump; seconds, 15s.; thirds, 12s. ; ground, 35s. Dolomite, 7s. 6d. per ton at the mine. French Chalk: Arrivals have been practically nil. demand is brisk, and prices well maintained for G.G. B. "AngelWhite" brand; 90s. to 95s. medium, 100s. to 105s. superfine G.G. B. Barytes (carbonate) remains easy; selected crystal lump scarce at £6.; No. 1 lumps, 90s. ; best, 80s. ; seconds and good nuts, 70s. ; smalls, 50s.; best ground, £6.; and selected crystal ground, £8. Sulphate is unaltered: best lump, 35s. 6d. ; good medium, 30s.; medium, 25s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. ; common, 18s. 6d. to 20s.; ground, best white, G.G.B. brand, 60s. ; common, 45s. ; grey, 32s. 6d. to 40s. Pumicestone: Best qualities in demand, ground being quoted at 10. ; and specially selected lump, finest quality, 13. Iron ore steady; Bilbao and Santander firmer at 9s. to 10s. 6d. f.o.b.; Irish, 10s. 6d. to 11S.; Cumberland, 12s. Purple ore improved at 7s. to 8s. Spanish manganiferous ore quiet at 22s. to 23s. for 20 per cent. Emerystone: Best quality in fair demand, with moderate business doing. No. 1 lump is quoted at £5. 10s. to £6. ; and smalls, £5. to £5. 10s. Fullers' earth, steady: 45s. to 50s. for best blue and yellow; fine impalpable ground, £7. Wolfram and tungstate of soda, unaltered, and tungstate metal easier. Chrome metal 5s. 6d. per fb. Tungsten alloys, 2s. per fb. Chrome ore still enquired for. Antimony ore continues firm: £16. to £18. for fair quality. Antimony metal £65. Uranium, 245. to 26s. Asbestos: best rock, 17. to 18.; brown grades, £14. to £15. Potter's lead: smalls, 12. to £13.; selected lump, £14. to £15. Calamine steady, 60s. to 80s. Strontia, steady: sulphate celestine) steady, 16s. 6d. to 17s. Carbonate (native) £15. to £16.; 20., powdered (manufactured), 11. to £12. Limespar: English manufactured, old G.G.B. brand, brings full prices; 45s. for ground English; German, 50s. Plumbago: Best Ceylon lump, £25. to £35.; good, L20. to £21.; chips, £8. to £16.; best ground, £25., and £30.; Italian and Bohemian, £4. to £12. per ton. French sand, in cargoes, 16s. to 17s. Ferro-manganese, 70%, 10. Bitumen, finest picked, £35.; original prime, £18. to £23.; and good, £8. Ground mica, £50. China clay Fair business doing; common, 18s. 6d. ; good medium, 22s. 6d. to 25s.; best, 30s. to 355. (at Runcorn). THOMPSON, RITCHIE, AND Co., Victoria-street, Westminster, electrical and general engineers. TAYLOR, TREGENT, AND CO., Liverpool, paint, oil, and colour manufacturers. J. R. WRETTS AND J. W. DIBBLE, under the style of Butler and Company, Bristol, chemists and druggists. W. A. GORDON AND E. M. REYNELL, under the style of J. Langton and Sons, PUTZ AND HENDRICKS, Mincing-lane, E.C., chemical and general merchants. JAMES BRADBURY AND CO., Longton, earthenware manufacturers. THE BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1883. GIBSON, FREDERICK, Fleetwood, chemist. First Meetings and Public Examinations. WRIGHT, DAVID HENRY (trading as Henry Wright), Copenhagen-street, Islington, oilman. July 16, Bankruptcy-buildings, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields; July 30, 34, Lincoln's-inn-fields. DUBOSKI, ISHER, AND DUBOSKI, HARRY (trading as Duboski and Son), Wentworthstreet, Whitechapel, oilmen. July 19, 33, Carey-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields; August 8, 34, Lincoln's-inn-fields, GIBSON, FREDERICK, Fleetwood, chemist. July 19, Official Receiver's office, Preston; July 19, County Court offices, Preston. Adjudications. GIBSON, FREDERICK, Fleetwood, chemist. Notices of Dividends. ATTEWELL, ARTHUR (separate estate), Liverpool, ærated water manufacturer, trading with W R. Brooks, as Brooks and Co. Second and final dividend of 25. 2 d., any day, Mr. G. Mahon's, 26, North John-street, Liverpool SIDDELEY, JOSHUA (separate estate), Huyton and Newlyn and Gulval, near Penzance, ice manufacturer, late engineer, coppersmith, and brassfounder, late trading with J. Siddeley, as Siddeley and Co., now trading with J. Siddeley, as the Newlyn and Gulval Ice Works Company. Second and final dividend of 52d.; SIDDELEY, JOHN (separate estate) Toxteth-park, near Liverpool, and Newlyn and Gulval, near Penzance, ice manufacturer, late engineer, coppersmith, and brass founder, late trading with J. Siddeley, as Siddeley and Co., now trading with J. Siddeley, as the Newlyn and Gulval Ice Works Company. Second and final dividend of 42d., July 11, Mr. R. Jones's, A.C.A., 30, North John-street, Liverpool. New Companies. HENLEY TELEGRAPH AND ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LIMITED. This company was registered on the 3rd inst., with a capital of £200,000. in 10. shares, to acquire the goodwill, lands, works, property, premises, machinery, and patent rights of W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Company, Limited, and to carry on business as electricians, telegraph engineers, and contractors. The subscribers are: F. Newton, 16, King William-street, merchant W. Hays, 31, Abchurch-lane, solicitor H. Lescher, 6, Clement's-lane, chartered accountant G. Baird, C.E., Travellers' Club.. Shares. I The Hon. Hy Stuart Littleton, 22, Rutland-gate, S.W. NORTH-WESTERN PETROLEUM AND GENERAL STORAGE COMPANY, LIMITED.This company was registered on the 4th inst., with a capital of £25,000., in 50. shares, to acquire a lease of land and premises, granted by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to Mr. Robert Stewart, trading as Messrs. R. Stewart and Company, and also the petroleum storage tanks, works, and premises erected by the said firm on the land, comprised in the said lease. The subscribers are :Robert Stewart, 39, Old Hall-street, Liverpool, merchant William Edward Earle, Woolton, secretary. A. H. Samuel, 62, Dale-street, Liverpool, merchant J. Hammerton, 8, Fazakerley-street, Liverpool, merchant R. Robinson, 4, Old Hall-street, Liverpool, broker Shares. I I I I |