For other kinds of steel, the market was fairly good, partly by reason of the demands for the domestic industries.

The production of Martin ingots was larger than ever before, and several new furnaces will soon be finished. It is stated that certain manufacturers are willing to reduce their productions, in case this should be considered necessary in order to keep the prices within a fair limit.

The pig-iron market was pretty strong, with rising prices, but the foreign purchasers, who use Swedish pig iron for mixing purposes, could not always pay the prices demanded.

Bar iron was rather weak during the first six months, but got stronger during the last half of the year, and closed with increased demand and higher prices.

Lancashire iron has been in demand, and the entire production was sold. The attempts made to raise the prices have not been successful, however. The production was as follows:

The total export of iron and steel during 1897 was less than the export during 1896 by 26,500 tons. The last quarter showed an increase of 6,100 tons, however, so the conditions were not so unfavorable at the close of the year as at the end of the third quarter.

SHIPPING.

The foreign shipping presents nothing of special interest, except that several large steamers have been purchased.

Imports and exports of Gothenburg for 1896 and 1897.

[Certain articles of no interest to Americans in the trade of this country have been left out.]

Imports and exports of Gothenburg for 1896 and 1897-Continued.

Seeds:

Imports and exports of Gothenburg for 1896 and 1897-Continued.

Article.

IMPORTS-continued.

1896.

1897.

Imports and exports of Gothenburg for 1896 and 1897—Continued.

The harbor dues paid for these vessels amounted to $71,577.38.

REVIEW OF SWEDISH TRADE IN 1898.

I give below a review of the foreign trade of Sweden during the six months ending June 30, 1898, as compared with the trade during the same time in 1897:

IMPORTS.

The reports of the board of customs show that trade has been brisk during these months. The imports especially show increase. This does not apply, however, to wheat, rye, flour, and barley, the decrease in which may in part be due to increased domestic production, and also to certain disturbances in the American wheat market. The tendency is toward increased use of wheat, as the import of this article has not decreased so much as that of rye.

The imports of indian corn were more than twice as large as during the corresponding period in 1897.

The imports of pork, meat, herring, sirup, liqueurs, petroleum, cotton, coal and coke, raw wool, rails, machinery and tools, and fertilizers show an increase if compared with the imports during the first half of the year 1897, while the imports of wines, textile fabrics, and pig iron decreased.

The imports of American pork were the largest on record, for the period in question, since 1895, and amounted to about 15,524,800 pounds, against 3,562,600 pounds during January-June, 1897.

The imports of rails were more than twice as large as during the first half of the year 1897.

Fertilizers show an import of 55,536 tons, against 48,086 last year, and 34,029 tons during the same period three years ago.

EXPORTS.

The exports of machinery and implements and paper are steadily increasing.

Other articles the exports of which increased are oats, meat, herring, zinc ore, pit props, iron and steel, and matches. The exports of live stock, butter, iron ore, deals, battens, and boards, and textile fabrics decreased during the period under consideration.

The decrease in the exports of textile fabrics is accounted for by the partial loss of the Norwegian market, for reasons before explained.

INDUSTRIES, ETC.

There is now a tendency in Sweden to put to useful purposes the large supply of power in the numerous waterfalls in the country. Several companies have been formed with the object of purchasing waterfalls, but in doing so certain of them have experienced difficulties from controversies as to the real ownership of the water power. Thus at Trollhättan, for instance, the Government has claimed ownership of most of the available water power. It is stated that the government in Norrland, the northern part of the country, owns waterfalls representing 15,000,000 horsepower.

When the conflict now pending has been settled, and the laws relating to this subject have been changed or clearly defined, it is reasonable to believe that electric-power plants, driven by water, will appear in all parts of the country, and Sweden will then take a more prominent position in the industrial world. Such, at least, is the opinion of a great many here.

Among other enterprises, an electric light and power plant is now under construction at Trangfors, about 12 miles from the town of Vesteras. The station will consist of necessary buildings, two generators of 300 effective horsepower, and one magnetizing dynamo of 25 effective horsepower. The transmission line will require about 30,900 pounds copper wire. From this power station Vesteras will receive light and power sufficient for all the industrial establishments there. Another company intends to manufacture chemicals, on a large scale, for technical purposes, and the power used for running the factory will be obtained from water.

One new factory at Forserum manufactures artificial boardscampo boards-and is the only establishment of the kind in Scandi