Foreign weights and measures, with American equivalents—Continued.

Foreign weights and measures, with American equivalents-Continued.

Foreign weights and measures, with American equivalents—Continued.

Milligram (100 gram) equals 0.0154 grain.
Centigramo gram) equals 0.1543 grain.
Decigram (6 gram) equals 1.5432 grains.
Gram equals 15.432 grains.

Decagram (10 grams) equals 0.3527 ounce.
Hectogram (100 grams) equals 3.5274 ounces.
Kilogram (1,000 grams) equals 2.2046 pounds.

Myriagram (10,000 grams) equals 22.046 pounds.

Quintal (100,000 grams) equals 220.46 pounds.

Millier or tonnea-ton (1,000,000 grams) equals 2,204.6 pounds,

Hectometer (100 meters) equals 328 feet 1 inch.

Kilometer (1,000 meters) equals 0.62137 mile (3,280 feet 10 inches).

Myriameter (10,000 meters) equals 6.2137 miles.

Metric surface measures.

Centare (I square meter) equals 1,550 square inches.
Are (100 square meters) equals 119.6 square yards.
Hectare (10,000 square meters) equals 2.471 acres.

At the request of a New York manufacturer,* a Department circular was sent, under date of May 27, 1899, to certain consular officers in England, France, and Germany instructing them to furnish information in regard to the knitting industries in their respective districts. The answers received follow.

ENGLAND.

NOTTINGHAM.

MACHINERY IN USE AND RECENT IMPOVEMENTS.

Since the introduction, in 1891, of the Scott & Williams patent seamless machine, an American invention for making circular seamless socks and stockings, the exclusive manufacture of which in this country was contracted for by George Blackburn & Sons, Limited, of this city, and the exclusive use of which in this district was confined to one firm for a number of years (but which, with improvements, has since been in general use), nothing in the nature of revolutionizing processes has appeared, unless the overlock stitching device patented by Willcox & Gibbs, of Providence, R. I.— an invention which has greatly improved the circular trade—and the Millar loom, both of which are referred to elsewhere, could be Progress by way of improvement, however, and the application of ideas to new uses, all tending toward economy of operation and increased output at minimum cost, has been great. Another machine (patented, I believe, by American inventors) for making striped seamless socks and stockings-a result not hitherto

* To whom Advance Sheets of these reports have been sent. No. 230

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obtainable—is being introduced. In reviewing machinery conditions, Secretary Whitehead, of George Blackburn & Sons, Limited, spoke very freely. As he is probably the best English authority on English machinery, his statement is given practically in full:

Prior to 1891, the best classes of goods (socks and stockings) were made upon Cotton's straight, full-fashioning machine, which makes the goods in flat pieces, afterwards seamed to assume the tubular form. In 1891, we entered into an agreement with Messrs. Scott & Williams, Philadelphia, Pa., for a license for the sole manufacture in this country of their patent seamless machines. Up to this time, the only seamless stockings and socks manufactured in this country were made on machines of the Griswold type, which had to be worked by hand, requiring a girl to work each machine; consequently, production was slow, and only coarse-gauge goods were turned out. The Scott & Williams patent seamless machine produced a new article, which the trade took to very slowly and reluctantly, but it gradually got upon the market, and the public soon found out the comfort of wearing seamless goods. The demand for seamless machines rapidly increased, and other American patented machines of a similar class were introduced here. This had the effect of greatly decreasing the demand for full-fashioned seamed hosiery, and such machines fell out of use, except for the very best class of goods and for striped hosiery, which can not be made on the seamless machines. Seamless machines are now more extensively used than ever. Cotton's straight full-fashioning machine has gradually been improved to make the French foot, the Niantic or seamless foot, and stripes of a great number of colors; also, to make fancy open work or lace hosiery; also for making pants (drawers), shirts, combinations, etc. Since the last United States tariff came into operation, a growing demand for these machines has sprung up in that country, and many of the leading manufacturers are putting down this class of machinery. Cotton's straight full-fashioned machine and the straight ribtop machine-for rib tops of socks, ribbed cuffs of sleeves, ribbed bottoms of pants, (drawers) legs, glove fabrics, etc.-are the machines of our build which are most required in your American market. Of the latter, we ship a large number to some of the best manufacturers in the Boston district. Our steam press is also much used in the United States. Of late years, underwear of natural wool has come into great demand, and by the use of the improved sewing machines, such as the Willcox & Gibbs overlock machines, which are made by Messrs. Brown & Sharp, of Providence, R. I., these goods are largely made out of tubular fabric, on circular machines, such as our circular shirt body and sleeve and web machines; but machines for similar purposes are made in America, and consequently there is not much opening for our apparatus of this class. Another machine we are building, invented in America, is the Millar loom-a machine having a warp, weft, and knitting threads, of very rapid production, producing cloth for men's clothing, etc., such as is made on looms in Yorkshire. It also makes blankets. A plant of these machines has been built and is just commencing to be worked in Leeds. If successful, it will revolutionize the weaving trade in woolen goods.

Referring to German competition in machinery manufacture, Mr. Whitehead said:

Unfortunately for us, builders of these (Cotton's) machines here are not able to compete in price with the German builders of similar machines, owing principally to the lower wages paid and the longer hours worked in German machine shops, wages being 30 to 40 per cent higher in our works than in Germany. There are a few of these machines shipped from this country to the United States, but the greater number is bought from Germany.