imported from the United States.* In 1898, 50,000,000 gallons of this piquant beverage were consumed in France, against 35,000,000 in 1897. The dried apples used in its manufacture are the lowest grade of windfalls—sliced, including skins, cores, and "inhabitants,” without distinction as to quality or variety, except as follows: (1) The thin slices must be well dried and securely packed, so as not to color or heat upon the voyage. have a spicy odor or they will not sell. The slices must be white and (2) Decayed or over-ripe fruit should not be used, as it gives too dark a color to the product and will not bring a price sufficient to pay cost of shipment. The consumption of this beverage is rapidly increasing in France, and it is said that the cider crop of this year is likely to be so short as to create an even greater demand for it. Made of carefully assorted fruit, it should be a valuable addition to our household drinks, since but little need be made at a time and it is both piquant and practically innocuous. BORDEAUX, September 1, 1899. ALBION W. TOURGÉE, Consul. THE MANUFACTURE AMERICAN WHEAT FOR The Department of State has received from the Department of Agriculture a letter addressed to it by Mr. James B. Simpson, of Dallas, Tex., requesting its assistance in forwarding samples of Texas wheat to the United States consul at Lyons, to be tested as to its fitness for use by French manufacturers of edible paste. Mr. Simpson's letter was referred to the Bureau of Foreign Commerce. It is accompanied by another letter from him, which was printed in a Texas newspaper, in which he says: The Department of State favors me by sending to my address reports from its consuls. In the volume of reports for July last, I observed that Mr. John C. Covert, United States consul at Lyons, France, reports an enormous increase in the manufacture and consumption of macaroni and like edible pastes, not only in France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, but all over the globe. This gentleman states in an interesting monograph upon this subject that a hard wheat containing a large percentage of gluten and relatively small percentage of starch is required, and that the millers and bakers of France are finding out that bread is much improved by putting into it a larger amount of gluten than is found in the French wheat, or in the ordinary starchy wheats from America. *I would note in this connection that of 500 barrels of dried apples which I recently examined, 200 were a dead loss to the shipper, because of lack of care in drying and packing. + Consul Covert's report was printed in CONSULAR REPORTS No. 226 (July, 1899), pages 468–470. crease. Mr. Covert states that the estimated output in France alone of these edible pastes approximates now 170,000,000 pounds, and is surely destined to a vaster inThis estimate, of course, does not include the manufacture and output of macaroni in Italy, Spain, or Switzerland, where the demand for hard, glutinous wheats is yearly increasing, the consul stating that a number of establishments are constantly employed in making large hydraulic presses for the production of these pastes, not only in France, but in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Believing that the wheat exactly adapted to the making of macaroni and similar edible pastes is that hard, flinty, glutinous wheat called in North Texas the Nicaragua wheat and seemingly almost indigenous to our black lands and warm climate, and knowing that there never was a failure in the growth of this grain in North Texas, and that such is its wonderful productiveness that an average of 50 bushels to the acre is made, I took occasion to write these facts to Mr. Covert. Mr. Covert became deeply interested in my letter, realizing at once the great possibilities to North Texas, and referred it to M. Edouard W. Sorrell, a distinguished chemist of Chabeuil, France. That gentleman wrote in reply a letter of some six pages (too long to insert here), but substantially stating that if we could grow this character of wheat a practically limitless demand existed for it in Europe, and that it could readily be shipped through Galveston. M. Sorrell further suggested that he be sent 2 bushels of this Texas-grown wheat for chemical analysis, which he would gladly make, and if it was as anticipated not only could France take all produced in North Texas, but that capital would quickly come from France to Texas, putting up here establishments with a yearly output of $18,000,000. It is proper for me to observe in this connection that Consul Covert suggests that if this wheat prove suitable to edible-paste requirements, Texas should have a quantity made into macaroni and exhibited at the coming exposition at Paris; and he would himself, in the interest of Texas and the immense possibilities growing out of the production of this grain, devote a month of his time to bringing the matter before the milling and macaroni trade of France. M. Sorrell is also pleased to say in his letter to Consul Covert: "I would be happy to have you tell the Dallas people that I will be glad to help them." Since I have taken up this grain matter, I have spoken with several farmers of Dallas County, who are unanimous in their opinion that we can grow to perfection in North Texas just the wheat required by this great European industry, and so satisfactory would be found the profits that our black lands would advance quickly from 25 to 50 per cent in value. If I can be furnished the 2 bushels of wheat required, I will see that it is transmitted to our consul at Lyons. The wheat will be forwarded to the consul at Lyons for the proposed analysis by M. Sorrell. TRADE OPPORTUNITIES IN RUSSIA. The Austrian consul in Tiflis complains about the very limited amount of iron exported from his country to the Caucasus. He pictures the progress being made by the Germans. Among other things to which he calls attention is the competition between the Caucasus and Siberia. The Siberian works produce an iron that is very popular in the Caucasus, but the terms of delivery are somewhat oppressive. Orders must be given a year ahead, with at least 10 copecks per pood (5.15 cents per 36 pounds) paid in advance. Even then no guaranty is given that goods will be delivered on time. In Siberia, the work goes on with never an hour's rest the year round. When the ice melts in the rivers, as large quantities as possible are delivered. As soon as the deliveries begin, buyers must have remittances ready; and it often happens that the greater part of the payment must be sent by wire. Inasmuch as the demand is always larger than the Siberian output, the works in that part of the Empire fix prices and conditions. In spite of the enormous import duties-50 to 60 copecks per pood (25.7 to 35.5 cents per 36 pounds) on some kinds-foreign countries send in large quantities. Germany is very well represented. Baku buys half its supply outside of Russia, and of this Germany supplies 20 per cent. Most of the German iron exported thither is for reservoirs, boilers, and what is known here as façon iron. There is a big opening for iron girders, beams, etc. Hitherto, Belgium has had the most of this trade, but is losing it on account of the inferior qualities supplied. The same is true of band iron. There is also a large demand for what is known in Germany as steel paggeln, for boring chisels. They are wanted in lengths of 39 to 58.5 inches; width, 5.85 to 18.5 inches; thickness, 3.12 to 5.85 inches. The production of these bars, weighing, as they do, 1,300 to 2,600 pounds, is very difficult. Recently, Krupp began to sell them for $119 a ton. In the middle-grade goods, Germany controls the market. In spite of this Empire's splendid equipment for producing wire ropes, it has not sold many, if any, to Russia; England, Belgium, and Austria-Hungary have controlled this line. This field is still open to good articles. The wire rope of Russian production, in many lines, fails to give the same satisfaction as foreign goods. Roof tin has a good chance. Great quan tities are in demand. In spite of Russia's rapid rise in industries, it will be a long time before she will be able to supply more than a very small percentage of her vast needs. Even the enormous duties can not keep foreign goods out of her markets. Mariopol, on the Sea of Azof, is an excellent field in which to sell machines and parts of machines. Here, too, is a good opening for wire ropes, for machine couplers for wire ropes, for shovels, furnace forks, mining machinery, etc. English goods are falling off because they are too dear. Germany, favored by cheap transportation expenses, supplies a large part of the present demand. Enterprising concerns that go early to Mariopol, in the heart of the mining country, are sure to reap a rich reward. Here, too, is a most excellent opportunity for manufacturers of agricultural implements. Harvesting machines will sell in the Crimea, notably in Kertsch. The opportunity offered in Russia is one of the very best in the world. All we have to do is to adapt ourselves to the requirements of the Russian people-not a very hard task-and a very large share of her foreign trade will fall into our hands. The conditions prevailing in that vast Empire could not be more favorable to our manufactures. No nation is so well equipped as we are to supply Russia with the very best weapons with which to work out her industrial and commercial destiny. There are vast forests to be cut away, marshes to be drained, mines of all kinds to be opened, canals to be dug, waste lands to be reclaimed, railroads and mills of all kinds to be built, etc. Who is going to build and supply? J. C. MONAGHAN, CHEMNITZ, August 15, 1899. Consul. GERMAN AND FRENCH TRADE IN RUSSIA. Germany is sending larger quantities of textiles to Russia than is any other country. The following table gives the total imports into Russia for the last three years and the amounts sent thither from this Empire: Reduced to United States currency in the Bureau of Foreign Commerce: For 1896, the silver ruble was valued at 31.9 cents; for 1897 and 1898, the gold ruble, 51.5 cents. It may not be out of place to point out the methods successfully employed by other countries in selling goods to Russia. The French consul in Odessa, after speaking of the failure of catalogues, advertisements, and circulars to promote trade, notes that some large French houses have begun business upon an entirely new basis, with surprising results. The traveling agents brought their goods with them, avoided the middlemen and native agents, opened display rooms, called on the French consul, got a list of the people most likely to be interested, sent invitations to them to call, and sold them the goods. They went first to all the large cities, beginning with St. Petersburg, Moscow, etc., and then to towns of 10,000 or 15,000. The consul, of course, was not only willing to give the names asked for, but was eager to assist. In most cases, the goods were exhibited in the halls of the hotel in which the traveling agent stopped. The eagerness with which the parties invited accepted the invitation and the numbers that came indicated an unusual interest in the things exhibited. Of course, the prospect of buying direct from the manufacturers was the principal inducement. One agent sold in Odessa goods worth 25,000 francs ($5,000) in a week. A Paris carriage house exhibited several of its best makes. The results went far beyond expectations. It has always been my opinion that the United States consulates might be utilized for the exhibition of goods. Consulates generally have one or more rooms that could be employed for this purpose. I have tried to induce merchants and manufacturers to occupy some of my surplus space for exhibits, but up to date I have not been very successful. It is the best of all ways to get goods before buyers. No amount of advertising can equal it. The system did not originate with the French; it was inaugurated by our people in South America years ago. CHEMNITZ, August 12, 1899. J. C. MONAGHAN, Consul. WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKES ON RUSSIAN RAILWAYS. Consul-General Holloway, of St. Petersburg, under date of July 27, 1899, writes: In transmitting the translation of the ministerial order requiring all standard Russian railways to equip their freight cars and engines with the Westinghouse air brakes by January 1, 1903, at a cost of several million rubles (this order provides that the introduction of other systems of continuous automatic brakes will only be allowed after a trial of three years), I desire to state that the Westinghouse |