alcohol is composed of two atoms of carbon, six of hydrogen, and one of oxygen; so synthetical alcohol is obtained by uniting these atoms accordingly.

For a long time it has been known that by the direct combination of carbon and hydrogen in the electric arc acetylene can be obtained. Sufficient hydrogen must be added to the acetylene to produce ethylene, a constituent of illuminating gas. In combining water with the ethylene, alcohol is obtained. Thus, alcohol has already been produced in France without the employment of vegetable

matter.

In contact with water 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds) of carburet of calcium give about 30 cubic meters (1,059 cubic feet) of acetylene, weighing nearly 35 kilograms (77.16 pounds). Upon hydrogenation this produces 37 kilograms (81.57 pounds) of ethylene, which after hydration forms 22.4 gallons of alcohol at 98°. Thus, to have 100 liters (105 quarts) of alcohol it is necessary to employ at the beginning 117 kilograms (258 pounds) of the carburet, the net cost of production of which is, in France, 23 francs ($4.44).

The manufacturers of carburet of calcium usually sell their product in this country for 30 francs ($5.79) per 100 kilograms (220) pounds), some 10 francs ($1.93) more than the actual cost of production. Therefore, the estimate of the cost of alcohol made by employing the carburet is about 40 francs ($7.72), a figure not differing greatly from that of alcohol from vegetable matter, which costs. $5.79 per 220 pounds. Some claim, however, that the new product can be manufactured at some future time for 12 francs ($2.32) per hectoliter (26.417 gallons).

Parties desiring communication with those making experiments in this line should address E. Silz, Secrétaire Général d'Association des Chimistes, 156 Boulevard de Magenta, Paris.

FRENCH MARKET FOR HORSESHOE NAILS.

Norway and Sweden export annually to France horseshoe nails. to a total value of several million francs. The exporters' system of handling this business is as follows: In several of the principal cities they have established agencies, to which they send occasional large shipments of horseshoe nails on consignment. The exporters themselves prepay the freight to the port of entry, but their agents pay the customs duties and the freight to the interior for the account of the manufacturer. The consignee then sells the goods wherever he can, frequently employing commercial travelers, and makes monthly or quarterly settlements with the manufacturer. Nails of all sizes

are sent, and the advantage of this system, according to the French view, is that with the merchandise always on hand orders may be promptly filled.

Horseshoe nails command an average price of 75 francs ($14.47) per 100 kilograms (220 pounds). The duty is 20 francs ($3.86) per 100 kilograms. This would leave for the manufacturer a net price of 55 francs ($10.61) per 100 kilograms, out of which all charges, including the consignee's commission, must be paid.

Certain exporting firms of Norway and Sweden have agencies and depots for merchandise at Paris, Bordeaux, Lyons, and St. Etienne, but no two firms are represented in the same city. American horseshoe nails are undoubtedly better and less clumsy than the Swedish article and ought to command an excellent sale in France if the prices and charges above indicated can be met.

I know an active man at Angers, a big and thriving town of this consular district, who would like very much to represent an American house under the conditions set forth; and if the matter should interest any of our manufacturers, it would afford me pleasure to put them in communication with the agent in question.

NANTES, March 7, 1903.

BENJ. H. RIDGELY,

Consul.

MANUFACTURE OF FIREARMS IN FRANCE.

The number of sporting guns of divers sizes and models turned out by the important manufactories of St. Etienne is annually increasing, the production for 1902 being considerably in excess of that of the preceding year.

According to the official figures published recently by the Chamber of Commerce of St. Etienne, the number of gun barrels in an unfinished state presented to the proving house was 103, 172 in 1902, of which 1,538 were rejected at the first trial and 3,101 at the second. The remainder received the proof stamp, showing an increase of 26,210 over the preceding year. The great majority of the barrels. were made of steel, the rest comprising ordinary guns, pistols, revolvers, etc. There were 269 cannon to be used against hailstorms.

At no other epoch in the history of the industry of St. Etienne were such favorable results reported, and the increase of production coincided with the enlarged use of pyroxylin powder. The value of sporting guns has likewise increased; the arms are better finished and command higher prices.

On the other hand, the national manufacture of arms is going through a crisis and many skilled workmen have been given a

month's notice, the Government orders not being sufficient to employ as large a number as formerly. This is the situation not only at St. Etienne, but at Government factories located in other parts of France. These establishments are at the disadvantage of being limited to one single product, viz, military arms, while the manufactories supported by private capital can engage also in making sportsmen's supplies, such as bicycles, gun tools and novelties, gun cases, trunks and valises, lanterns, cutlery, fishing rods, reels, and paraphernalia, swords, games, etc. Thus they are able to divert their energies to meet demands in various branches of the trade, according to changes of fashion or popular whims.

In reference to recent inquiries on this subject, it may be stated that French patterns of sporting guns are not well known in the United States, though we buy enormous quantities from Belgium.

Foreign-made barrels bear Government proof marks as a guaranty of the safety of the arm, and the dealer, in selling, usually lays stress on this point. A large, new proof house has been recently constructed at St. Etienne, equipped with the best modern devices. for testing the guns made in this vicinity.

ST. ETIENNE, March 25, 1903.

HILARY S. BRUNOT,

Consul..

INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION AT LIMOGES.

An exhibition will be held at Limoges from May to November, 1903, to display the industrial, agricultural, and artistic work of this part of the country and France in general, and also to show to the exporters and importers of the world the products and needs of this locality.

This is the first exhibition of its kind that has been held in central France for many years. Few foreigners visit Limoges. It is a city of about 90,000 inhabitants and is known to the United States chiefly through its ceramic industry, which is the most important in all France.

To certain American exporters, this exhibition offers a valuable opportunity-the city being the center of a large agricultural region-to display farm machinery and implements, dairy machinery, etc. Carriage, shoe, leather, and harness manufacturers and dealers might also find it to their advantage to make an exhibit. A large and growing market has recently been created for American evaporated and preserved fruits, and no better opening for such merchan dise could be found.

It would also be of interest to cattle raisers to visit this place, as they will find exhibits of the pure Limousin breed of cattle, which are especially adapted for beef.

If Americans desire to exhibit, space can be retained for them at a nominal figure, and the cost for the entire season would not be high. Although the exhibition opens officially on the 15th of May, 1903, special privileges will be granted to American exhibitors so that they can enter as late as the month of July. The exhibition will close November 1, and it will be during the latter months that this city will be thronged by the largest number of visitors.

Inquiries may be addressed to either the consulate of the United States or M. Raoul Saulay, directeur-general de l'exposition, Rue d'Isly, Limoges, Haute Vienne, France. I inclose prospectuses.* WALTER T. GRIFFIN, Commercial Agent.

LIMOGES, March 25, 1903.

WATER SUPPLY OF MILAN.

A scheme for supplying Milan with good drinkable water was initiated in the year 1888 by the excavation of two trial wells near the "Arena" (the amphitheater of Milan). The first was sunk to a depth of 480 feet (79 feet below sea level); the second, to a depth of 268 feet. This plant at first provided water for cleansing the sewerage pipes of the new quarters and for distribution of drinkable water. The mechanical part of the plant in the Arena consists of two condensing motors of 35 horsepower each, two pairs of pumps of the Girard type, accumulators for the automatic detachment of the pumps, two Cornwall boilers of a surperficies of 322 square feet, and a tubular economizer of the Green type. It was later decided to add another boiler of a superficies of 398 square feet. Four more wells were sunk (all of a diameter of 311⁄2 inches), to an average depth of 98 feet. The aggregate force of these new wells was 163 quarts per second. A reservoir was built of a capacity of 42,382. cubic feet of water. It is connected with the delivery pipe by a single tube of a diameter of 1134 inches. The minimum level of the reservoir is 981⁄2 feet above the axles of the pumps.

In 1896 it was again found necessary to increase the production, and the pumps, which were then operating in Via Parini for supplying the fountain service in the public gardens, were connected with street mains for the supply of the houses in the vicinity. In 1901, being found unserviceable from long use, the pumps were substituted by a centrifugal of the Sulzer type, driven by an electric

*Filed in the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, where they may be examined by persons interested.

motor. A new well was sunk to a depth of 197 feet. It produces 68 quarts of water per second, and is provided with a sand filter. The numerous demands for both public and private service caused a new plant to be decided on, and in 1899 it was finished. It consists of two pairs of double-action pumps of the Riedler type, each group being driven by a 75-horsepower electric motor, and produces 211 quarts of water per second. In 1900 four other Sulzer pumps, with electric motors, were placed at the Rondó di Loreto, on the outskirts of the city. This plant also furnishes 211 quarts per second from its eight wells. At the end of the year 1901 there were in all 88 miles of mains, supplying for the most part the populous or more unhealthy quarters, as also industrial establishments, schools, hospitals, etc. The potable water, however, is now used for many public services, such as street washing, watering plants, flowers, grass plots, and trees in the public ways and squares; it also supplies nearly 100 drinking fountains and the large ornamental fountains in different parts of the city and the public markets and laundries. It furnished also, at the above date, nearly 1,000 hydrants for the fire brigade, and has substituted ordinary well water in about 4,000 buildings, including apartment and tenement houses and hotels.

The following figures will show at a glance the continuous increase in consumption of potable water:

1889.......

1894..

1899.

1901.....

.......

Cubic meters.

146, 226 I, 472, 483 4,088, 693

5, 545, 226

It is presumed that the increase in consumption for the year 1902 has been another million cubic meters. It should be noted that of the 500,000 inhabitants of Milan only 200,000 are, so far, supplied with potable water, so that the quantity per head is high, reaching, on some days, as much as 208 quarts per consumer, which denotes excessive waste. From the numerous requisitions that are being received, it is estimated that the production must be again increased during the present year, as the general use of the potable water will be at least 20 per cent above that of last year.

MILAN, March 20, 1903.

WM. JARVIS,

Consul.