The chief and original business of this factory is hosiery and undershirts, which it also produces from wool, but it has 150 looms for weaving other cotton fabrics, and is, I believe, the only factory which does this work. It weaves trouserings, flannellettes, canvas, quilts, towels, etc., also a little linen goods.

Duties do not favor the making of light gray goods, but white shirtings are being made. The total output was stated to me at $2,500,000 currency.

The yarn is imported from Italy, mostly twisted. The machinery comes from various countries-England, Germany, France, and America. I noticed that the machines for sizing and reeling yarn, and for arranging the pattern in the woof, were run each by its own 2-horsepower electromotor, connected with the general power in the works. These small electromotors were made locally, in fact all, except the casting, on the premises.

Woolen fabrics.-I visited two of these factories. One employs about 300 hands, has two steam motors (English) of about 300 (?) horsepower, and turns out about 300,000 kilos per annum.

*

*

The selling price is calculated on a basis of 8 francs per kilo. The staple work is Government cloth (see sample P. 1.), but gray military blankets with a few threads of cotton in them, livery cloth, ordinary white blankets, etc., are also produced. The other factory, the owner of which has a hat factory adjoining, has two steam motors (English), of a combined power of 150 horse, and will shortly, I was told, have a total of 120 looms. Here serges, cashmeres, blankets, flannels, and ponchos are made. No cotton is used. The machinery is English and German.

It is to be noted that both the above cloth factories were bought from bankrupt estates.

Hats. I also visited two of these factories, one of them being that referred to in a previous paragraph. This factory, together with the weaving factory alongside, employs 660 to 700 hands. It has two steam motors, one English, of about 95 horsepower, and the other French, of about 85, and turns out 2,600 to 2,800 hats per day, about two-thirds of which are wool and one-third rabbit-hair felt, perhaps a tenth of the total being hard felt.

The current quality of wool hat is reported sold by this factory at $20 per dozen and retailed at $2 per hat. The machinery appeared to be up to date, the hard felt being produced on a revolving cylinder with air pressure. I noticed that the boiler heat was utilized direct for drying hats by iron-grating floors and open wire shelves arranged above the boilers.

The other hat factory I visited has an English steam motor of 150 horsepower, employs about 400 hands, and turns out about 2,000 hats per day, about five-sixths being wool and the remainder hair.

This factory seems to make almost everything for itself, including gutta-percha basins, rubber piping, etc., about the only articles imported being the binding ribbon, fine prepared skins for making the linings, and rubber.

Bags and sacks.-One of the principal of these factories (which I visited) turns out from 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 bags in an average year. The ordinay grain sacks are made from Calcutta gunnies, 40 inches wide and about 10 ounces to the yard, and the heavier ones, for bringing in maize from the fields, from 27-inch gunnies, weighing 16 ounces. Heavy sugar sacks are also made from 48-inch 26-ounce gunnies, with a blue stripe, and flour sacks from British osnaburgs.

A good deal of work is also done in making coverings from American cotton and other canvas for piles of wheat. The twine used is reported to be all Dundee. About 400 hands (women) are employed in summer, but only about 70 in the winter. The steam motor (English) is only 15 horsepower.

Alpargatas, or canvas shoes, with soles of plaited jute pressed hard, are made very largely in the country and form an important local industry. I visited the principal factory, employing from 600 to 1,000 hands, which has a steam motor of 300 horsepower, about to be increased to 600.

The output just now is reduced to 600 dozen per day, which means a daily consumption of 400 bales of jute, 1,500 yards of canvas, and 900 yards of tape, besides Dundee twine.

The shoes are put up in dozens, and the dozens tied and pressed into little bales, which are roped, sewn up in Hessians, and marked outside with the number of the shoe (No. 7 has, perhaps, the largest sale) for dispatch to the provinces. The normal price is $6 per dozen pairs. The machinery is almost all English, and the factory is now making its own cotton canvas from,, and yarns.

Iron works. I visited the principal of these, which works in wrought iron, and is the only roller of bar iron in the country. (See my letter under the heading of "Old iron for remanufacture," p. 66.)

It has three furnaces, locally made rolling mills, and turns out about 5,000 tons per annum. This figure includes, besides bar iron, a variety of agricultural implements, etc., e. g., screws for tightening wire fences, iron droppers, well pulleys, gates,

sowers, plows, etc. It owns a patent for the droppers, the horizontal section of which forms a cross, through the center of which the wire passes.

It

Wire nails. I visited the principal factory of these, which has three steam motors of a combined power of 85 horse and employs about 110 operatives. The wire is imported, the highest number being No. 7, although a little No. 8 is also bought. is cleaned, worked, and drawn out into higher numbers, the highest being 26, some being bronzed with a solution of sulphate of copper, some being galvanized, and what is not made into nails is sold.

The nails are made of all sizes in machines (German, I believe), which cut the wire and form the head and point of the nail at one operation, so that they have only to be cleaned in revolving drums with sawdust and oil and a little scrap iron to be finished. They are then put up mostly in 2-kilo paper packets.

Enameled iron. The principal factory in this industry, and the only one which makes hollow ware, this being in fact its chief product, I have visited, and refer to my letter under the heading of "Hollow ware" in regard to same (see p. 60). The mixtures for the glazes are kept secret, but among other things'used are kaolin and solvae. The quantities required are small, and are bought in this market.

Matches.-I visited the principal works of the big company which does the great bulk of the trade and employs in all about 1,500 to 1,600 hands. The outturn is stated at 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 boxes, all wax matches, each containing 47 to 48 matches, in a month. The boxes are put up in dozens tied together by paper straps, and in six dozens packed in a cardboard box; 30 of such cardboard boxes, say 15 gross of small boxes, being usually packed in wooden cases for dispatch up country. The present price, brought down by the competition of small factories, is only $2.90 per gross, of which $1.44 goes to the Government in the shape of a 1-cent stamp on each box, leaving, after deduction of selling commission, etc., only about $1.30 net cash to the factory. This price is for the ordinary light-weight match, but a certain quantity of a heavier make is also produced.

Common wooden matches are not wanted in the country, but there is a small import of safety matches.

The department for making the boxes and lithographing labels connected with this factory is admirably equipped; and, in fact, has come to be a severe competitor with other concerns in executing lithographic work for general purposes. I have seen some very good work executed in seventeen colors.

The motor power of the factory I visited was German, two engines equal to 150 horse, and the machinery all German or Italian, and some made on the premises. The phosphorus is imported from England, also the chlorate of potash (but sometimes the latter comes from France), yarn for making wick from Italy, and lithographers' varnish from (?) Germany. Paper, too, comes mostly from Italy or Germany, but cardboard is bought of local manufacture, and also the stearine.

Biscuits. I visited the principal factory, which employs about 120 hands and has a steam motor of 60 horsepower. The machinery is English, on the continuous-oven system. The tins are made on the premises, about 3,000 cases of tin plates being used annually, as mentioned in my letter (see p. 68). The labels are lithographed by a local company. The biscuits are all sent out under the factory's own mark and a 10-kilo tin contains 10 kilos, I am assurred.

This factory also produces a well-known liquor, special bottles for which still come from England.

Confectionery.-I have already referred in my letter to the sweetmeat factory visited (see p. 71). The machinery is mostly French, except the caramel machines mentioned. The owner also has a fruit-canning factory, and employs about 200 hands altogether in the fruit season, but not more than half that for the rest of the year. Oil, paints, and varnish.-Under the headings of "Seed oil" and "Paints, etc.," in my letter, I have already referred to the factory visited. The steam motor is an English one of 30 horsepower.

Tin work. I have also referred, under the heading of "Tin plates," to the factory visited in this trade (see p. 68). It employs only about 70 hands now, but in busy times expects to have 200 by day and 100 by night. The owner told me he had given up making the ordinary fruit cans, which is the principal branch of the local tin trade, on account of the competition in these, and especially in order to take up the making of the locust trap described, as well as of another locust trap on quite a different principle, specially adapted for rough ground, but was continuing the making of tins and canisters of a high grade for special purposes.

Shot, and lead tubes containing perfume ("pomas").-I was not admitted into what is doubtless the largest factory as regards the latter article (one of large consumption). This is the only instance, so far, I may add, in which I have been denied admittance to a factory. According to the owner's statement he has 4 machines for making these tubes, each of which, tended by 1 man, can turn out 15,000 tubes daily. The first of these machines he got made in the United States in two months, after fruitless attempts in England for a year and a half to get it made there. The

second he got from the United States, and two he has had made here. When the tubes are made he gives them a bath of tin by electricity, and can coat thus 30,000 a day with 4 men.

Paper making on an extensive scale is carried on at a fine factory to the north, on the railroad to Rosario, which I visited. These works have 12 steam motors aggregating 1,200 horsepower, 25,000 meters roofed in, and employ 700 hands. The machinery is from various countries, including some made in this. I saw one machine which throws off 400 meters of paper per minute, say 20 tons if paper be thick and 10 tons if thin, per day. The total output of the factory, annually, is about 9,000,000 kilos. This includes a large quantity for the Buenos Ayres newspapers, only two of which are said to still import. Wood pulp is imported mostly by sailing vessels direct from Sweden to the factory wharf, but more material is gradually being procured in the country, chiefly rag and old paper, and it is hoped to reduce the import to a very small figure ere long. Caustic soda and solve are also imported. Large granite stones for grinding the pulp, etc, are now produced in the country, and said to be superior to those hitherto imported from the Continent of Europe.

*

Tobacco factory.—I visited an admirably appointed one in Rosario, which employs from 350 to 400 hands, has boilers of large steam capacity for use in the treatment of the tobacco, and a 25-horsepower engine. Cigars and smoking tobacco are produced, but the chief product of the factory is cigarettes. For making these there are 7 machines, 6 of which have a capacity of 250 cigarettes per min te. sample packet sales of this cigarette amount to 1,000,000 packets, of 14 cigarettes each, per month. of the cigarettee which has the largest consumption. The I inclose a The tobacco used, no matter what the product is styled, is, I understand, all Bahia, and that which is used for the cigarette just referred to, and lower qualities, has the nicotine extracted from it in great measure, with the object of making sheep dip, which constitutes an important by-product of the factory. The price of the cigarette represented by the sample is 20 cents per packet to the public, and on this cigarette the makers have to pay 5 cents a packet to the Government, in the form of an excise stamp, which is attached before the cigarettes go out. cigarette at 10 cents per packet, whose monthly sale amounts to 200,000 packets, pays only 1 cent to the Government, and a higher quality at 30 cents per packet (made, A lower quality of it may be remarked, of tobacco from which no nicotine has been extracted) pays 6 cents per packet to the Government.

Sugar refining is in the hands of one factory, which supplies almost the entire consumption, estimated at over 30,000 tons per annum. rio, I visited. It covers an extensive area, has complete railway connections, deepwater frontage (where sea-going vessels discharge), and appears to be thoroughly This factory, which is at Rosaequipped. The machinery is of diverse origin, having been bought wherever it was deemed most suitable. The principal motors, about 600 horsepower altogether, and boilers (10) are Swiss; a new large vacuum pan is German; new installation for revivifying animal charcoal is English, etc. closes for three months in the summer. Only high-class sugar is produced, and the About 800 hands are employed. The factory residual molasses is now sold to distilleries or thrown away, a fine distilling plant of 8,000 liters daily capacity lying idle, as at 76 cents for the spirit there was, it was found, barely a return of cost after paying 60 cents revenue tax. No loaves are made, the chief products being tablets and broken lump. I saw the former being packed direct in 20 kilo wooden boxes (present price, $11), the pieces for making which come cut to size, tied in bundles with wire, direct from Sweden. Tablets are sometimes packed in tin boxes of 2 kilos each (present price, $1.25, tablets larger). I forward one of these tins, numbering it 608, as it may be of interest, and call attention to the tin, made and printed in Buenos Ayres. Bags are imported, ready-made, from England, the factory having the privilege of free import.

Glass works.-The most important of these, by far, I have visited. It employs about 300 operatives and has 3 furnaces, 2 of which are divided, respectively, into 12 and 10 crucibles. The furnaces are fed by gas tar furnished by local gas works, and the consumption of this combustible amounts to 125,000 liters monthly. The sand comes from Fontainebleau, the solva (58 per cent) from England (consumption about 24 tons per month), the arsenic and nitrate of soda from the Continent. The existing stock of broken glass amounts, I was informed, to $30,000 worth. A large cellar constructed under the yard contains 1,000,000 liters of gas tar.

The factory seems prosperous, and a fourth furnace, I understand, is about to be erected. The product is varied, but consists very largely, naturally, of the 3 principal articles of use in the country-namely, wineglasses, gin and other bottles (except beer), and demijohns. The wickerwork (from native osiers) is worked upon the latter on the premises. The daily output of wineglasses of all sizes, I was informed, amounts to 300 dozen. Aerated water siphons and lamps are made; the former entirely in the works; the latter as regards the glass bodies and the fixing on the mounts.

APPENDIX VII.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE PHILADELPHIA "MANUFACTURER," FEBRUARY 5, 1898.

TO OUR FOREIGN READERS:

[See page 76.]

The Manufacturer, as stated in our letter of last month, is published by the Manufacturers' Club, of Philadelphia, United States of America, an organization composed of over 1,000 of the largest manufacturing firms in the United States. This body was organized over ten years ago for the purpose of advancing the manufac turing interests of the country. Many of the firms represented in the organization have a large foreign trade, and for the purpose of extending such business the club has decided to issue a monthly foreign edition of its journal in addition to its regular weekly number. The paper is edited by specialists on economic subjects, and will deal directly with all questions pertaining to the development and expansion of American trade.

The name of your firm has been suggested to us as one that is interested in the importation of American products, manufactured and otherwise. This month's international edition will interest you, and we trust you will read it carefully, as it will give you a fund of information pertaining to American affairs.

Our advertisers we again beg to call your attention to. They are the representative firms in the United States in their particular line, and have been established for years. You will find it to your advantage to order such material as you may desire direct from them or through your shippers in America. Should you not find what you need write to us and we will find it for you, without charge.

Any information you may desire, pertaining to American interests, we will be pleased to give you. We ask, in exchange, that, in writing to our advertisers, you mention The Manufacturer.

Yours very truly,

ALVIN HUNSICKER,
Business Manager.

The Manufacturer, in order to secure sufficient knowledge from which to prepare articles for publication in regard to the state of trade in different foreign countries, desire information along the line of answers to the following questions, namely: Have there been any transactions or contracts made recently with American firms? Have there been any transactions or contracts made recently with European firms? Of what nature were these contracts?

What are the opportunities for a development of business with the manufacturing and shipping industries of the United States?

What improvements in a local way, public or otherwise, are projected?

What is the temper of the business community with respect to reciprocity treaties with the United States?

Are local political relations, elections, etc., likely to interfere with the free movement of trade?

Are there any proposed changes in the tariff, and what changes in this direction are needed to increase commerce?

How should goods be packed for shipment to your country?

What are steamship connections and railway facilities from the ports to the interior of the country?

What are the dock charges, warehouse facilities, etc.?

What are the chief industries of the country and city in which you are located? How many firms are engaged?

Can you give abstracts from statistical reports of the Government concerning exports, imports, etc.

What lines of goods are imported to your country, and from what countries do they come?

Are the imports from other countries larger than from the United States? If so, why is this the case?

What do you consider to be the best course to take to improve the commercial relations between our country and yours?

How are the banking relations? Can exchange be effected easily with New York and other American cities?

Can you give us other items of interest concerning the commercial and economic development of your country of general importance and utility?

NOTE.-We would appreciate as full a reply to each question as possible, and also such other information pertaining to your country as may not have been suggested by the above series of questions.

We are willing to pay for information of the above nature. Will you not mention this fact to some reliable importing firm interested in American goods, or to some responsible individual who is capable of furnishing the information we desire? We can be of great value to an importing house handling American goods, and trust many may become interested in our work.

Send all communications to The Manufacturer, Philadelphia, United States of America.

BRAZIL-Part I.

RIO DE JANEIRO, November 4, 1898.

The SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.

SIR: I arrived at this place, the northern limit of my commission, on the 31st of August last. Rio de Janeiro, the federal capital of the United States of Brazil, with a population, according to the last census (1890), of 522,651, is not only by far the largest town in Brazil, but is the most important commercial center and largest port of entry in the whole country. It is naturally the chief center of the import trade for southern tropical Brazil, although São Paulo, with the port of Santos, seems to be rapidly taking an increased share of the business.

In proceeding to study the import trade and native manufacturing business here, in order to carry out the inquiry ordered by your letter of the 21st of December last, I have been met at the outset by the fact that there are no actual import returns available, nor any of national manufactures.

What would have been of most service in studying the trade in this part of Brazil would have been figures showing the imports into Rio and Santos; but, with the exception of those kept by the Jornal do Commercio, taken from the manifests of vessels entering Rio day by day, and published in the Jornal's annual "Retrospectivo," I have found nothing here; these figures are useful as far as they go, but they only cover a few special articles. The figures for the whole country, published by the Government, only come down to 1894, and, for reasons referred to later on in reference to custom-house matters, can not, I am assured, be regarded as quite accurate.

By the courtesy of the editor of the Brazilian Review, however, I have obtained the following statistics for the whole of Brazil (which have not yet been published in extenso), taken from the export returns of the several countries named, viz:

a Corrected figures.

b The German figures above relate to German products only; all the others include reexports, etc., i. e., they cover the whole of the exports from the countries named.