bearing strata is full of springs. The springs lie between 700 and 1,000 feet below Johannesburg, and from 15 to 30 miles from the Rand. They discharge between them about 70 or 80 cubic feet per second. If half the water of each spring were taken for the mines and the other half left for agriculture the quantity would suffice for the mines. The existing agriculture in the valleys fed by the springs would not, in the end, be allowed to suffer, even in area, because the losses could be compensated by digging suitable channels through the reedy marshes, which are to-day fertile sources of loss, and by gradually making suitable reservoirs for storing the waste water of the springs, and as much of the surface flow of the ground as was considered necessary. The agricul tural wealth of the valleys would increase with the future increase of the wealth of the mines, just as in the past it has been more than quadrupled by the presence of the mines themselves. Honour H. Hesketh Bell writes:-"Pines in barrels are a by-word in Covent Garden market." That the fault lies with the packer and not with the fruit, the recent very successful shipments of oranges, bananas, and pine-apples from Dominica and Barbados sufficiently prove. The situation is exactly the same with regard to sweet potatoes in the United States. One set of producers save some 50 cents per barrel in labour, &c., in their packing, and, as a result, obtain about 1.00 dol. per barrel less than those who pack carefully. The question of packing is one demanding the careful attention of every exporter of fruit or vegetables from the West Indies, for if bad methods of packing are persevered in, their produce will fail to gain the confidence of the market and their industry fall to the ground.—The Agricultural News (Barbados). FRUIT PACKING FOR EXPORT. Throughout the West Indies, an increasing number of people, year by year, take some part in raising and packing perishable produce for distant markets. All alike, whether interested in oranges, bananas, pineapples, onions, or sweet potatoes, have the same object, the placing of their produce on the market in a sound condition. It is no easy task to accomplish this off-hand. We must know the exact stage at which each kind of fruit or vegetable must be gathered in order to keep sound during its long journey, and arrive in England or America in the best state. We also have to learn how to treat the produce between picking and packing; the conditions necessary to allow "ripening" to proceed during voyage, and to prevent chilling and rotting. On all these points knowledge has in the past been gained by experience, and the general precautions necessary for the successful export of fruit and vegetables are now fairly well known, although, unfortunately, not always acted upon. One point the experience of the past has clearly brought out, and that is, the absolute necessity of careful packing. A man may raise the finest oranges or pine-apples in the West Indies, he may gather them at the right moment, and handle them carefully, but, unless they are well packed, his trouble is to a great extent thrown away, for they are practically certain to arrive on the market in poor condition. At the last agricultural conference the question of regulating the quality of exported fruit was brought forward by the Honourable Sydney Olivier, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary of Jamaica. He pointed out that bad packing was responsible for the disrepute into which some West Indian fruit was falling in the English market. "All the buyers have been frightened off Jamaica oranges and will not touch them on any account." Similarly with regard to pine-apples, His PETROLEUM BRIQUETTES IN FRANCE. Briquettes made with petroleum have been manufactured in various ways in different countries, notably in Russia, France, and the United States, as a combustible for steam-ships and for certain industries where rapid production of heat is desirable. The advantages of such a substitute for coal are readily apparent-less storage room, complete combustion, &c. It is surprising, says Consul Brunot, of St. Etienne, that petroleum has not been utilised more generally in this form. The objections are that the briquettes injured the boilers after a short time by reason of some chemical action produced by combustion; further, the blocks did not keep their form under the action of the heat, but fell through the fire-box in a liquid state, and the price is said to be two-thirds more than that of coal. A company has recently been formed at St. Etienne for the manufacture of petroleum briquettes which claims to have obviated all the objections except that in regard to price. The advantages of the product are set forth as follows:-The briquette is composed of 97 per cent. of petroleum and 3 per cent of hydro-carbon. The volume being equal, it weighs only half as much as coal, and gives but from 2 to 3 per cent. of residue; it produces no slag; it does "run" when lighted, and keeps its form, like coal; it burns without odour and without smoke; it may be wetted with impunity, losing none of its properties; it consumes without explosion or sparks, and yet with a bright and long flame; it may be kept indefinitely without deterioration. By this process, a degree of saponification is obtained, by which the briquettes are rendered unchangeable even to the extent that if a projectile should enter a ship's bunker filled with this fuel, there would be no danger whatever of explosion, the effect being the same as in the case of ordinary coal. The average heating power is from 12,000 to 14,000 calories, and the briquettes can be employed in any fire-box or in any grate for domestic purposes. The manufacture of these briquettes is very simple, and requires but little machinery. If necessary, the petroleum contained therein can be recovered with a loss of only 5 to 7 per cent. The same company manufactures what are called mixed briquettes-half coal and half petroleum-but if these are cheaper than the former, they present less advantages from the fact that the density is greater and the heating power is only 9,000 calories. A steamer carrying 8,000 tons of coal would require 3,500 tons of mixed briquettes, and only 2,500 of the pure petroleum briquettes. ROYAL DANISH PORCELAIN. In The Royal Porcelain Manufactory was established in 1779, at which time the three blue waved lines were adopted as the trade mark; later a crown and the word "Denmark" or "Royal Copenhagen ' were added in green. Until the close of the 18th century the manufactory chiefly imitated the works of Meissen, Berlin, and Fürstenberg. From the beginning, according to a Danish review, it produced the blue mussel painted china, so called from the shell which serves as a handle to the covers. The pattern is painted by hand, whereby it obtains the individual stamp, with cobalt colour; it is afterwards glazed and finally burnt. The decoration which is covered by the glaze is absolutely imperishable. This china now includes two qualities of finer make, namely, "lace edge" and half "lace edge." 1883 the manufactory was established in new premises, and steps were taken to gain new markets. The same underglazing which was applied in the first manufacture of the mussel painted china was continued, but in addition to the blue colour, green and tints of red were included; later on, other less important colours were added. In 1898 the manufactory was enlarged, enabling it to produce half as much again. It has been represented at all of the various exhibitions, and was awarded the Grand Prix de Paris in 1900, and also placed as number two of the competitors. At the Paris Exhibition besides having a wide selection of patterns of porcelain with liquid glaze, the manufactory had also an exhibit of modelled animals. The manufactory has established branch depôts in Paris, London, and New York. Obituary. JOHN HUNGERFord Pollen, M.A.-Mr. Hungerford Pollen, a member of the Society of long-standing, died at his residence in Pembridge-crescent on Tuesday, the 2nd inst. He was the second son of Richard Pollen, of Rodbourne, Wilts, who was the second son of Sir John Pollen, the first baronet. Born on November 19, 1820, Mr. Hungerford Pollen He was educated at Eton and Christchurch, Oxford. graduated in 1842, and soon afterwards was elected a Fellow of Merton. He studied painting in Rome, and during the tenure of his fellowship he painted the roof of the chapel. In 1857 he co operated with Rossetti and Burne Jones in the decoration of the building of the Union. Mr. Pollen took orders, and after leaving Oxford he went to St. Saviour's, Leeds. After he joined the Roman Catholic Church he was Professor of Fine Arts in the Catholic University founded by Cardinal Newman in Dublin. He was official editor of the "Universal Catalogue of Books on Art," and the "Art Handbooks," published by the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, and for some years acted as private secretary to the Marquis of Ripon. Mr. Pollen was elected a member of the Society of Arts in 1870. He delivered a course of Cantor Lectures in 1885 on "Carving and Furniture," and read papers on "The Present Condition of the Art of Woodcarving in England," "Ornamental Glass," and "Renaissance Woodwork in England," for which last paper he received the Society's silver medal. He was also a member of the committee of the Applied Art Section. General Notes. ELLIS'S MUSICAL SCALES.-Mr. A. J. Hipkins has printed, for private circulation, a pamphlet, entitled "Dorian and Phrygian from a non-harmonic point of view," which forms a supplement to the late Mr. Alexander J. Ellis's paper "On the Musical Scales of Various Nations (see Journal, Vol. xxxiii., 485, 1102). Mr. Hipkins expresses his willingness to send a copy to any member of the Society interested in the subject, who will apply to him at 100, Warwick-gardens, Kensington, so far as the edition printed will suffice. MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY. ORDINARY MEETINGS. Wednesday evenings, at Eight o'clock:DECEMBER 17.-"The South Russian Iron Industry." By ARCHIBALD P. HEAD, Mem. Inst.C.E. MR. WILLIAM EGERTON HUBBARD will preside. Papers for Meetings after Christmas: "Industrial Trusts." BY PROF. W. SMART, LL.D. SIR ROBERT GIFFEN, K.C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., will preside. "Oil Lighting by Incandescence." By ARTHUR KITSON. "The Metric System." By A. SONNENSCHEIN.. "The Cost of Municipal Trading." By DIXON H. DAVIES. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MONDAY, DEC. 15...SOCIETY OF ARTS, John-street, Prof. Adelphi, W.C., 8 p.m. (Cantor Lectures.) Vivian B. Lewes, "The Future of Coal Gas and Allied Illuminants." (Lecture IV.) British Architects, 9, Conduit-street, W., 8 p.m. Mr. Arthur J. Evans, "The Palace of Knossos, Crete." Camera Club, Charing-cross-road, W.C., 8 p.m. Mr. Cato Worsfold, "French Stonehenge." London Institution, Finsbury-circus, E.C., 5 p.m. Mr. Henry Norman, "Russia of To-day." TUESDAY, DEC. 16...Statistical (at the House of the SOCIETY OF ARTS), John-street, Adelphi, W.C., 5 p.m. Mr. W. M. Acworth, "Railway Statistics." Civil Engineers, 25, Great George-street, S.W., 8 p.m. Mr. Stephen Martin-Leake, "The Rupnaryan-bridge, Bengal-Nagpur Railway." Pathological, 20, Hanover-square, W., 8 p.m. Photographic, 66, Russell-square, W.C., 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17...SOCIETY OF ARTS, John-street. Adelphi, W.C., 8 p.m. Mr. Archibald P. Head, "The South Russian Iron Industry." Meteorological, 25, Great George-street, S.W., 73 p.m. 1. Mr. C. V. Bellamy, "The Climate of Cyprus." 2. Mr. H. Helm Clayton, "The Eclipse Cyclone of 1900." Geological, Burlington-house, W., 8 p.m. THURSDAY, DEC. 18...Antiquaries, Burlington house, W., 8 p.m. Linnean, Burlington-house, W., 8 p.m. 1. Mr. W Numismatic, 22, Albemarle-street, W., 7 p,m. Camera Club, Charing-cross-road, W.C., 8 p.m. Mining and Metallurgy, in the Rooms of the Geo- FRIDAY, DEC. 1...Civil Engineers, 25, Great George-street, Mechanical Engineers, Storey's-gate, S.W., 8 p.m. FOTHERGILL PRIZE. The Council, acting on the recommendation of the judges appointed by them-Sir William Preece, K.C.B., F.R.S., Mr. Robert Kaye Gray, and Mr. Alexander Siemens-have awarded the prize of fifty pounds, together with a silver medal, offered for an essay on "Existing Laws, By-laws, and Regulations relating to Protection from Fire, with Criticisms and Suggestions," to Mr. T. Brice Phillips, Sanitary Inspector to the Uckfield Rural District Council, of 4, Aylesford-terrace, Uckfield, for his essay, bearing the motto, "Fiat Lux." The Council have also awarded a prize of ten pounds with a bronze medal to Mr. George H. Paul, Lydford, Cyprus-road, Finchley, N., for his essay bearing the motto, "Ariston Metron;" and a similar prize to Mr. W. Craig Henderson, D.Sc., 1, Brick - court, Temple, E.C., for his essay bearing the motto, "Sola Virtus Nobilitat," these two essays being considered to be equal in merit. They also consider the essay sent in by Captain Arthur W. C. Shean, 18, Finsburycircus, E.C., bearing the motto " Fuego" to be worthy of honourable mention. The judges reported that the essays were on the whole of a meritorious character, and, generally, of a high class. It is proposed that the prize essay should be read as a paper at one of the Ordinary Meetings of the Society. In all twelve essays were received in response to the offer. INDIAN SECTION. Thursday afternoon, December 11, 1902, EARL PERCY, M.P., in the chair. The paper read was "Domestic Life in Persia," by MISS ELLA C. SYKES. The paper and report of the discussion will be published in a future number of the Journal. CANTOR LECTURES. On Monday evening, 15th inst., PROFESSOR VIVIAN B. LEWES delivered the fourth and last lecture of his course on "The Future of Coal Gas and Allied Illuminants." On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, a vote of thanks to the lecturer for his course of lectures was passed. The first lecture will be published in the next number of the Journal. JUVENILE LECTURES. The usual short course of lectures adapted for a juvenile audience will be delivered on Wednesday afternoons, December 31st and January 7th, at 5 o'clock, by Professor EDWARD B. POULTON, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. on the "Means of Defence in the Struggle for Life among Animals." Each member is entitled to a ticket admitting two children and one adult. As the full number of tickets has not yet been distributed, members applying can still be supplied. Proceedings of the Society. FIFTH ORDINARY MEETING. Wednesday, December 17, 1902; WILLIAM EGERTON HUBBARD in the chair. The following candidates were proposed for election as members of the Society : Bale, Hon. Sir Henry, K.C.M.G., K.C., Ingleside, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. Causton, Harry, Clive-street, Tunstall, Stoke-onTrent, Staffordshire. Chambers, Walter Ashbridge, 1, Medow-street, Fort, Bombay, India. Fitz Simons, F. W., F.Z.S., The Museum, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. Halse, Sidney Joseph, A.R.I.B.A., 60, Margaretstreet, Cavendish-square, W. Mudaliar, P. Ramanatha, B. A., Manônmani Vilas, Chintadripet, Madras, India. Pears, Francis, Lanadron Estate, Muar, viâ Singapore, Straits Settlements. Perkins, Charles Clifforde, M.I.Mech.E., 6N Bickenhall-mansions, W. Powell, Edmund, Cambria, Claremont, Cape Town, Sadler, Lieut.-Colonel James Hayes, C.B., H.M. Waddom, Thomas, Knowestone, Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne. The following candidates were balloted for and duly elected members of the Society :Edwards, Reginald William, Brooklands, Churchlane, Aldershot. Niles, Marston, 140, Nassau-street, New York City, U.S.A. Saenz de Zumaran, Alfonso, Chargé d'Affaires de l'Uruguay, Legation Office, 104, Victoria-street, Westminster, S.W. Vigor, Rupert H., 15 and 17, King-street, West India Dock-road, Poplar, E. Visick, Charles, A.M.I.Mech. E., Messrs. W. Visick and Sons, Basset Works, Devoran, Cornwall. Wyatt, T. G., North Clifton Plumbing and Engineering Works, Guernsey, Channel Islands. The paper to be read was THE SOUTH RUSSIAN IRON INDUSTRY. BY ARCHIBALD P. HEAD, M.Inst.C.E. In August, 1901, the author visited the South Russian iron district to report on certain iron, coal, and manganese mines and blast furnaces, and enjoyed exceptional facilities for examining these industries from a metallurgical as well as from a commercial standpoint. The present paper is founded on the result of his investigations. The production of iron in South Russia has made rapid strides in recent years, and this region is now by far the most important of the eight iron-producing districts in Russia, both European and Asiatic. The following Table shows their relative importance, on the basis of the production of pig iron : : Fig. 1 shows the same facts in graphic form. It will be seen that the Ural district, which is generally supposed to be the great Russian iron centre, has now lost its supremacy. The more rapid progress made by the Southern district is shown by the fact that whereas the increase of production of pig iron in the Urals between 1895 and 1899 was 45 per cent., that of the South was 130 per cent. during the same period. In the production of finished steel, the South shews a still greater supremacy over all other districts, as follows: : Topography. Having now established the fact that the Southern iron industry is by far the most important in Russia, the general topography of that district may be considered. This is shown in Fig. 2, which gives a general view of the section of Russia lying immediately to the north of the Sea of Azov. Most of this district is included in the Government of Ekaterinoslav, the town of that name being the most important of the district and the centre of the iron industry. The various works, as enumerated in Appendix I., may be said to lie on the Ekaterine Railway, which joins the Krivoy Rog iron mining region in the west, to the Donetz coalfield in the east, the distance being about 260 miles. In some cases the works are situated near the iron ore, carrying their coke and coal long distances. In other cases, and these form the majority, the works are situated on the coalfield, drawing their ore supplies from a distance. In other cases again, the works are between the two, dividing the total distance of 260 miles, over which the raw material must be hauled, between the ore and the coke. |