of the show to the number of 300, representing every automobile club in Germany, and took part in a brilliant illuminated parade, which, on the night of March 8, came in through the Thiergarten, along the Linden, and was reviewed before the imperial castle. Nothing like

this had ever been seen in Berlin before, and thenceforward the automobile, as an institution, seemed to take on a new dignity and character. The limit of speed within city limits is fixed by regulations at 12 kilometers (7.3 miles) an hour, but during the past fortnight motor carriages of all types and dimensions, bearing the labels of clubs belonging to the national association, have whizzed along the boulevard, between the Brandenburg gate and the Flora, at double or treble the prescribed pace, and the police, for once in their lives, have closed their eyes.

The distinctive feature of the exposition of this year, the point which can not fail to impress the most casual observer, is the uniformity with which the latest and best work of all the great German builders conforms to two or three standard types. Last year, and especially two years ago, there were several conspicuous novelties, as for instance the combined benzine and electric motor carriages, with which ambitious inventors were seeking to create wholly new types and find success by original and untrodden paths. Motors were of many kinds; some were carried forward, some behind, and others under the center of the vehicle. There was a nearly even number of electrical and gasoline motors, with steam as a promising. third in the race. This year nine-tenths of all the vehicles exhibited have hydrocarbon motors, and, excepting the two American carriages of the "runabout" class, the whole display conformed so closely to established types that from the model alone a visitor could hardly decide whether it was in Berlin, Paris, London, or New York. With scarcely an exception, the vehicles, whether "tonneau," phaeton, victoria, coupé, or "break," all carry the motor in front, high above the axle, and covered with a movable shield, which protects the working parts while rendering them instantly accessible for observation or repair. Everywhere simplicity of construction, directness of action, and economy of power have been studied and striven for as the essential requisites. The success of the Daimler "Mercedes" has fixed the form and general principles of construction, not only for racing machines, but for all the larger classes of touring and pleasure automobiles in this country.

Among the novelties in details were several kinds of rubber tires with steel shoes or soles for the purpose of preventing wear on rough, and slipping on smooth, roads, and there were several improvements in ignitors for gasoline motors, which attracted the earnest attention of experts.

The German automobile industry started with the advantage of a leading position in all that relates to hydrocarbon motors-for Otto, Daimler, and Benz are all German names-and besides this there were several bicycle firms with large plants and hosts of trained workmen ready to embark promptly and effectively in the new branch of manufacture. It has now reached a point at which it supplies not only most of the home demand, but produces a surplus for export, and several of the German makers have already an important market in Great Britain, Belgium, Russia, and Austria-Hungary. One of the topics discussed at the recent exposition was the organization of a cartel or syndicate among the leading manufacturers to promote and harmonize their interests in respect to foreign trade, and it is probable that a representative display will be made by them. next year at St. Louis. FRANK H. MASON, Consul-General.

BERLIN, March 23, 1903.

GERMAN APPARATUS TO DRAW WATER FROM

CYLINDERS.

The accompanying figure shows an apparatus which has been invented by the firm of Schneider & Helmecke, Magdeburg, Germany, for the purpose of drawing condensed water from the cylinders of steam engines. The illustration shows the interior of the apparatus and how the water is drawn off while the engine is in

action. The advantages of this invention are that the water is removed from the cylinders without any waste of steam and without the opening of valves and doors. As the apparatus works automatically, it is unnecessary for the engineer to keep watch of it. Its success in Germany has been marked. apply to the above address.

EIBENSTOCK, March 18, 1903.

Those interested should

ERNEST L. HARRIS,

Commercial Agent.

GERMAN FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

An engineer of Munich, Mr. Max Eberhardt, yesterday gave a demonstration of the effectiveness of a new preparation for extinguishing fires. The trials, it is reported, were successful. The preparation is a liquid of a milky color. The first experiment showed that the skin when painted with the liquid becomes insensible to heat. Rags saturated with petroleum can be burned upon the hand after it has been immersed in the liquid. Small fires can be extinguished with the hands, and with one pailful of the liquid a fire in a pit of tar was put out in one second. The tar, even after petroleum had been poured over it, could not be again ignited, as the liquid formed a thin, unmeltable crust which completely shut out oxygen.

In the fourth experiment, a pile of wood several yards in height and width was ignited until it was in full blast. The fire was completely extinguished in twelve seconds with a little more than 12 gallons of the liquid.

Small quantities of the preparation are sufficient for extinguishing purposes, so that the damages produced by water are avoided.

The price of the liquid is about 0.75 cent per quart. The trial took place in the presence of the chiefs of the fire department and representatives of the city council and board of public works. RICHARD GUENTHER,

FRANKFORT, April 3, 1903.

Consul-General.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS IN SOUTH
GERMANY.

Not only are American mowers, harvesters, and hayrakes in use in all the farming districts of South Germany, but our smaller agricultural implements, such as forks, garden and lawn rakes, hoes, shovels, spades, and hand potato diggers, have also rapidly grown in favor and are now on sale in nearly every local hardware store. The lighter construction and better shape of American tools are conceded; and here in Germany, where so much of the farm work is done by hand, these articles should continue to find a ready market.

I have never seen in this district any of the convenient apparatus commonly employed in the United States for spraying fruit trees, vines, and other vegetation. The sprayers in use are primitive in construction, consisting essentially of a watering can, with hose and

nozzle attached, carried by the operator, the weight of the water furnishing the pressure. American spraying pumps and other similar apparatus should be in demand.

As is well known, Germany produces vast quantities of potatoes and is coming more and more to depend upon this crop. They are frequently grown over large areas and are for the most part planted and dug by hand, the latter operation being assisted by means of an ordinary plow. An American engaged in selling harvesters in Germany informs me that he has had several inquiries as to the prices and efficiency of the potato planters and diggers used in the United. States. He is of the opinion that in some of the territory over which he has traveled, American planters and diggers, drawn by horses, could probably be sold in paying quantities.

The same gentleman says that he has had frequent inquiries as to windmills for pumping water and operating small feed grinders. Such windmills are rarely seen in this part of Germany. In view of the fact that most of the farmers live in villages, it is not probable that the mills would come into such general use as in most parts of the United States. The field, however, would seem to invite the attention of manufacturers who have agencies for these mills in other parts of Europe.

Weighing scales of the convenient forms employed in warehouses, freight houses, groceries, mills, etc., are not in use here. In this class of appliances there would seem to be an opening for our manufacturers.

In making tools and implements for the German trade, it should not be forgotten that durability is a greater virtue in Germany than it is in the United States. Tools frequently go into unskillful hands, and a degree of heaviness is not so objectionable as are breakage and need of frequent repairs. The wood used in handles should be well selected and the parts subjected to special strain made strong. H. W. HARRIS,

MANNHEIM, March 19, 1903.

Consul.

TRADE CONDITIONS IN WURTTEMBERG. Notwithstanding the prevailing commercial depression, 1902 showed a slight improvement over the preceding year, in that many factories which were obliged to curtail greatly their force in 1901 have reemployed the workmen and striven sturdily to maintain a fitting place in the world of trade. With a rising market for raw materials and a falling market for their products, the lot of the German manufacturer has, generally speaking, been a troubled one. It

will probably be some time before confidence is restored. There seems to be a general feeling of doubt regarding the effects of the new tariff law.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

The chief musical instrument exported from Wurttemberg is the harmonica, which is sold in greater quantities in the United States. than in any other country. There are several large factories in neighboring smaller towns. One concern has one main factory and

15 branches in which are employed 1,500 hands. Much of the work is done at home by the employees. The annual output of this one concern has for several years past been about 5,000,000 harmonicas. Competition in this line is extremely keen and goods are often sold for unusually small profits in order to hold the trade. The firms ship direct to all their customers in nearly every country in the world. It is said that the harmonica manufacturers intend to send an exhibit to the St. Louis Exhibition.

The piano industry.-The piano industry of Stuttgart, so well known in Europe, has been less satisfactory than in former years, exports decreasing about 400 tons; but, nevertheless, the three large firms here had enough work to keep their mills going full time. The loss of trade by this industry was felt more in northern Germany than in Wurttemberg. In fact, one local firm reports that it did more business last year than ever before, and trade was better in both the domestic and foreign markets. In Russia, Spain, Central and South America, and South Africa business was bad, but later the outlook for Mexico improved. No pianos are sold to the United States, on account of the high tariff, but there is keen competition with American manufacturers in Mexico and Central and South America.

The exports of pianos during the last three years were:

1900.... 1901.... 1902...

Tons. 12, 185. 2 12, 706. 5

12, 324. 7

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.

This is quite an industry in this district, and one of the largest surgical-instrument factories in the world is located here. It preduces over 20,000 different instruments for human and animal surgery. While the trade has shown considerable improvement over that of the past two years, profits have been much curtailed by aggressive competition and increased cost of raw material. The outlook for 1903 is believed to be very good, except for business with the United States, where the tariff, it is said, prohibits increased trade.