This year, of course, our imports of wheels will be much larger; but, owing to the high rate of exchange on foreign countries, we are obtaining almost all our other supplies at home.

The railroad companies in Spain also import large quantities of wheels for their own shops, chiefly from Germany, on account of their cheaper cost as compared with those made in Great Britain.

This meager information is all I have been able to collect on the subject.

BARCELONA, September 22, 1897.

H. HENDERSON RIDER, Vice and Deputy Consul-General.

SWEDEN.

The value of carriage and wagon material imported into this Kingdom for the last fiscal year amounted to $19,173, of which about one-half comes from Denmark and the balance equally from Germany and England.

The wheel most needed must have heavy spokes with strong hubs. The roads are good, but the country is hilly, and consequently the carriage wheel must have all the elements of strength and yet not be clumsy. In the cities, cobble stones constitute the majority of the pavements, and heavy tires are used to keep the wood secure. The iron hub used extensively in the United States I have not seen here.

The conveyances used in the hilly districts are small, and the diameter of wheels correspond. The United States does not seem to be represented in this trade, and samples of the work of American manufactures would have to be placed with merchants here in order to test the prospect of making sales.

STOCKHOLM, October 5, 1897.

EDWARD D. WINSLOW,

Consul.

'SWITZERLAND.

It is impossible to state the quantity and value of wagon wheels imported into Switzerland, for the reason, first, that no statistics covering importations of wheels are available, and, second, that comparatively few finished wheels are imported at all. As regards the United States, hubs and spokes in the rough, the former of oak and the latter of hickory, are being imported in a small way and finished here.

The houses of Geisberger & Co., Zurich, and Kaufmann, at

Basel, large concerns, buy American wood in the rough and manufacture all the parts themselves. These houses are equipped with American tools and wood-working machines. For fine work, as, for instance, wheels for buggies and carriages, American wood is mostly used; but for ordinary vehicles, hubs made from domestic walnut, oak, or acacia are used. I am informed that, in general, the styles, diameter, and sizes of wheels are the same as in the United States, except that in Switzerland all the parts are heavier. The smaller wheel-making concerns use both domestic and American woods, some getting the article finished in the rough and others cutting the timber themselves and manufacturing by hand. In the case of wheels manufactured in Basel, the following items may be found of

use:

Size of wheels.-From 75 to 125 centimeters (29 to 49 inches) in diameter.

Size of hubs.-Length, 20 to 24 and 25 centimeters (7 to 91 and 9 inches); diameter, 150, 165, and 185 millimeters (5, 6, and 71 inches).

Size of spokes.-Thickness, 38 millimeters (1 inches) at the hub and 32 millimeters (14 inches) at the rim; length, 35 to 80 centimeters (13 to 31 inches).

Size of fellies.-Square, 42 to 52 millimeters and 40 to 55 millimeters (1 to 2 inches and 1 to 2 inches).

16

Material. The principal Basel manufacturer imports from the United States, through an agent in Hamburg and another in Havre, elm hubs, mostly in a finished state, and others only perforated. He also imports spokes of acacia and fellies of hickory, both in an unfinished condition.

It does not appear that any finished carriage wheels are imported.
IRVING B. RICHMAN,
Consul-General.

ST. GALL, September 21, 1897.

NEW BRAZILIAN TARIFF.

Minister Conger sends from Petropolis, February 1, 1898, a translation of a portion of the new Brazilian tariff, showing the changes made from the tariff of 1896 in the principal products exported from the United States to Brazil. He also sends a table comparing the average equivalent ad valorem duties of 1896 with those of 1897. The minister says:

It will be noticed that some radical changes have been made in both classification and rates of duty, and yet the average rate has only been increased from 41 per cent to 42 per cent. As an entirely

new departure, agricultural and mining machinery have been transferred from the free to the dutiable list.

Changes in rates of duty made by the Brazilian tariff act of 1897 on the principal articles imported from the United States.

Books, maps, and other printed matter.-Books, bound in ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoise, increased from 8.300 milreis* ($1.16) to 12 milreis ($1.68) per kilogram; same, bound in silk, velvet, or wood, increased from 4 milreis (56 cents) to 5 milreis (70 cents) a kilogram; same in gold or silver increased from 20 per cent to 50 per cent ad valorem. Music reduced from 700 reis (9.8 cents) to 300 reis (4.2 cents) a kilogram. Wheat, corn, etc.-Flour, of corn, rice, potatoes, tapioca, etc., increased from 300 reis (4.2 cents) to 500 reis (7 cents) per kilogram, while wheat flour remains at 30 reis (0.4 cent) a kilogram; beans reduced from 60 reis (0.8 cent) to 40 reis (0.5 cent) a kilogram; corn, unground, reduced from 30 reis (0.4 cent) to 20 reis (0.2 cent) a kilogram; rice reduced from 60 reis (0.8 cent) to 40 reis (0.5 cent) a kilogram; barley, in grain, from 60 reis (0.8 cent) to 40 reis (0.5 cent) a kilogram; while that in malt is subjected to a tax of 80 reis (1.1 cents) a kilogram; bran reduced from 80 reis (1.1 cents) to 20 reis (0.2 cent) a kilogram.

Carriages, coaches, etc.-Subjected in the 1896 tariff to an ad valorem tax of 84 per cent, are rearranged in the 1897 tariff as follows:

Carriages, coupés, coaches, diligencies, etc.: four wheels, 3 milreis (42 cents) a kilogram, or 60 per cent; two wheels, 4.500 milreis (63 cents) a kilogram, or 60 per

cent.

Same unfinished: four wheels, 800 reis (11.2 cents); two wheels, 500 reis (7 cents). Railway coaches or wagons increased from 20 per cent ad valorem to 30 per cent; axles reduced from 800 reis (11.2 cents) a kilogram to 400 reis (5.6 cents); braces, hubs, tires, and other appurtenances of iron or wood reduced from 1.400 milreis (19.6 cents) to 400 reis (5.6 cents) a kilogram; springs reduced from 1.400 milreis (19.6 cents) to 400 reis (5.6 cents) a kilogram; wheels, taxed in the 1896 tariff 28 milreis ($3.92) and 14 milreis ($1.96) a pair for carriages and 20 milreis ($2.80) or 10 milreis ($1.40) for wagons, are taxed in the 1897 tariff 650 reis (9.1 cents) a kilogram for wooden and 450 reis (6.3 cents) a kilogram for wooden and iron; tongues, taxed at 5.600 milreis (78.4 cents) for unfinished and 44.800 milreis ($6.27) for complete, are in the 1897 tariff taxed 650 reis (9.1 cents) a kilogram for wooden and 450 reis (6.3 cents) for wooden and iron; parts and appurtenances not specially mentioned reduced from 67 per cent to 60 per cent ad valorem.

Drugs, chemicals, etc.—Acids increased from 15 per cent to 25 per cent ad valorem; mineral waters reduced from 2 milreis (28 cents) and I milreis (14 cents) a kilogram for English and distilled to 500 reis (7 cents) a kilogram, while other waters are increased from 400 reis (5.6 cents) to 500 reis (7 cents) a kilogram; gun cotton reduced from 8 milreis ($1.12) to 4 milreis (56 cents) a kilogram; ammonia reduced from 500 reis (7 cents) to 150 reis (2.1 cents) a kilogram; balsam reduced from 4 milreis (56 cents) to 2 milreis (28 cents) a kilogram; benzine reduced from 300 reis (4.2 cents) to 200 reis (2.8 cents) a kilogram; medicated biscuit increased from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 2.500 milreis (35 cents) a kilogram; capsules reduced from 29.280 milreis ($4.099) to 20 milreis ($2.80) a kilogram; medicinal beers and malts increased from 1 milreis (14 cents) to 2 milreis (28 cents); medicated chocolate increased from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 3 milreis (42 cents) a kilogram; preserves and

*The reductions to United States currency have been made on the basis of 1 milreis=14 cents, which was the market average January 3, 1898, although the nominal value of the milreis, according to the United States Director of the Mint, is 54.6 cents.

ti kilogram=2.2046 pounds.

medicinal opiates reduced from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 1 milreis (14 cents) a kilogram; creosote reduced from 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents) to 1 milreis (14 cents) for mineral and 2 milreis (28 cents) for vegetable a kilogram; disinfectants changed from 500 reis (7 cents) a kilogram to 25 per cent ad valorem; elixirs and medicinal liquors reduced from 6.225 milreis (87.2 cents) to 3.200 milreis (44.8 cents) a kilogram; plasters, oiled, reduced from 16 milreis ($2.24) to 8 milreis ($1.12) a kilogram; plasters, adhesive, reduced from 5 milreis (70 cents) to 2 milreis (28 cents) a kilogram; homeopathic pills reduced from 4 milreis (56 cents) to 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents) a kilogram; medicinal drops increased from 3.600 milreis (50.4 cents) to 4 milreis (56 cents) a kilogram; medicinal injections increased from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 3.200 milreis (44.8 cents) a kilogram; liniments reduced from 4 milreis (56 cents) to 3.200 (44.8 cents) a kilogram; naphtha and naphthalene reduced from 6 milreis (84 cents) to 100 reis (1.4 cents) and 200 reis (2.8 cents) a kilogram; chemical and medicated paper reduced from 4 milreis (56 cents) to 3.200 milreis (44.8 cents) a kilogram; tabules and lozenges reduced from 54 milreis ($7.56) to 40 milreis ($5.60) a kilogram; pills, grains, etc., reduced from 62 milreis ($8.68) to 45 milreis ($6.20) a kilogram; soaps, tariff in 1896, 2 milreis (28 cents), and in 1897, 1.500 milreis (21 cents) and 3 milreis (42 cents); salves, pomades, etc., increased from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 4 milreis (56 cents) a kilogram; dyes paying from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 20 milries ($2.80) in 1896 are taxed in 1897, 5 milries (70 cents) a kilogram; vaseline is reduced from 2 milreis (28 cents) to 500 reis (7 cents) a kilogram; wines, bitter, 700 reis (9.8 cents); vermouth, 700 reis (9.8 cents); all others, 6.225 milreis (87 cents), classed under one head in 1897, paying 3 milreis (42 cents) a kilogram; sirups reduced from 6.225 milreis (87 cents) to 3 milries (42 cents) a kilogram; chemicals and drugs, specified in the tariff and subjected to specific duties, equivalent in 1896 to 48 per cent ad valorem, are increased 50 per cent in 1897.

Clocks, watches, etc.-Copper clock keys increased from I milreis (14 cents) to 2 milreis (28 cents) a kilogram; alarm clocks reduced from 3.200 milreis (44.8 cents) to 2 milreis (28 cents) each; watches, copper or nickel, 4 milreis (56 cents) in 1896 tariff, and 4 milreis (56 cents) and 2 milreis (28 cents), respectively, in 1897; silver reduced from 7.800 milreis ($1.092) to 4 milreis (56 cents); gold reduced from 15.600 milreis ($2.184) to 10 milreis ($1.40) each; chronometers, in 1897 tariff, pay each, gold, 30 milreis ($4.20 cents), silver 8 milreis ($1.12), copper 8 milreis ($1.12), all others 4 milreis (56 cents); when set with precious stones, increased from 13 per cent to 20 per cent ad valorem.

Clocks (not chronometers) paid 48 per cent ad valorem in 1896; the rate in 1897 is: For walls: Case less than 65 centimeters (25.79 inches) in length, 5 milreis (70 cents) each; over 65 centimeters and less than 100 (39.37 inches), 6 milreis (84 cents) each; over 100 centimeters, 8 milreis ($1.12) each.

For table: With case less than 65 centimeters in length, 4 milreis (56 cents) each; over 65 centimeters, 6 milreis (84 cents) each; of bronze, plated, alabaster, etc., 50 per cent ad valorem.

Chronometers for vessels increased from 64 milreis ($8.96) to 70 milreis ($9.80)

each.

Coal, etc.-Coal remains on the free list, while carbon is reduced from 700 reis (9.8 cents) to 200 reis (2.8 cents) a kilogram.

Cottons, etc.-Lace strings increased from 10 milreis ($1.40) to 10.400 milreis ($1.456) a kilogram; carpets reduced from 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents) and 3.100 milreis (43.4 cents) to 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents); hats, untrimmed, reduced from 1.600 milreis (22.4 cents) to 1.200 milreis (16.8 cents); hats, brimmed, increased from 3.100 milreis (43.4 cents) a kilogram to 50 per cent ad valorem; bed covers increased from 1.300 milreis (18.2 cents) to 1.500 milreis (21 cents); cords reduced from 1.600 milreis (22.4 cents) and 2.800 milreis (39.2 cents) to 1.400 milreis (19.6 cents) a kilogram;

cushions reduced from 3.400 milreis (47.6 cents) to 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents); tulle reduced from 23 milreis ($3.22) and 10 milreis ($1.40) to 18 milreis ($2.52) and 5 milreis (70 cents); cravats increased from 2.600 milreis (36.4 cents) to 3 milreis (42 cents) a dozen; handkerchiefs reduced from 78 per cent to 60 per cent ad valorem; blankets reduced from 2.500 milreis (35 cents) to 1.600 milreis (22.4 cents); mantles, capes, etc., reduced from 78 per cent ad valorem to 1.800 milreis (25.2 cents) a kilogram, equivalent to 60 per cent ad valorem; stockings reduced from 3.200 milreis (44.8 cents) and 25 milreis ($3.40) to 3.200 milreis (44.8 cents) and 20 milreis ($2.80) a dozen; netting increased from 3.600 milreis (50.4 cents) to 4.800 milreis (67.2 cents) a kilogram; laces reduced from 62 per cent to 60 per cent ad valorem, from 26 milreis ($3.64) to 20 milreis ($2.80) a kilogram; shirts, knitted, reduced from 10.400 milreis ($1.45) to 8 milreis ($1.12), 19.500 milreis ($2.73) to 15 milreis ($2.10), and from 37.700 milreis ($5.18) to 30 milreis ($4.20) a dozen; drawers, knitted, 9.900 milreis ($1.39) to 8 milreis ($1.12); drawers, other textures, 16.900 milreis ($2.37) to 13 milreis ($1.82); collars reduced from 4.700 milreis (65.8 cents) to 3.600 milreis (50.4) cents); bosoms, for shirts, reduced from 13 milreis ($1.82) to 8 milreis ($1.12) a kilogram; cuffs reduced from 6.200 milreis (86.8 cents) to 5 milreis (70 cents) a dozen; all other clothing, from 9.900 milreis ($1.39) plain and 78 per cent ad valorem embroidered to 60 per cent; embroidery, tulle, reduced from 52 milreis ($7.28) to 35 milreis ($4.90) a kilogram; muslin and cambric embroidery reduced from 26 milreis ($3.64) to 20 milreis ($2.80); fustian embroidery reduced from 13 milreis ($1.82) to 10 milreis ($1.40); window screens reduced from 6.300 milreis (88.2 cents) to 5 milreis (70 cents) each; veiling reduced from 62 per cent to 60 per cent ad valorem; gauzes, lawns, etc., from 9.100 milreis ($1.27) to 8 milreis ($1.12) a kilogram.

It is impossible to make any comparison of duties on cotton cloth. The new duties are estimated on the number of threads contained in 5 square millimeters. It is apparent, however, that they are much increased. For instance, crude unbleached cotton in the 1896 tariff paid 1.500 milreis (21 cents) a kilogram, while in the present tariff it is subjected to duties ranging between 1.500 milreis (21 cents) and 14 milreis ($1.96) a kilogram, according to its texture; bleached cotton paid 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents) a kilogram in 1896, and in 1897 between 2.200 milreis (30.8 cents) and 20 milreis ($2.80); prints now pay 3.600 milreis (50.4 cents), against 3.400 milreis (47.6 cents) and 16 milreis ($2.24).

Flax, hemp, and jute.-Flax, crude, increased from 10 reis (0.1 cent) to 20 reis (0.2 cent) a kilogram; hemp, same; tow, same; oakum, same; jute increased from 10 reis (0.1 cent) and 40 reis (0.5 cent) to 100 reis (1.4 cents) and 130 reis (1.8 cents) a kilogram; linen thread increased from 500 reis (7 cents) and 600 reis (8.4 cents) to 640 reis (8.9 cents) and 840 reis (11.7 cents) a kilogram; carpets reduced from 3.100 milreis (43.4 cents) and 2.400 milreis (33.6 cents) to 2 milreis (28 cents) a kilogram; hemp and other textiles reduced from 900 reis (12.6 cents) to 750 reis (10.5 cents) a kilogram; buttons reduced from 3.900 milreis (54.6 cents) to 3 milreis (42 cents); canvas, cambrics, ducks, etc., reduced on plain from 1.200 milreis (16.8 cents) and 16.900 milreis ($2.36) to 900 reis (12.6 cents) and 13 milreis ($1.82); on imitation sail cloth 3.900 milreis (54.6 cents) to 3 milreis (42 cents) a kilogram; chales, plain, reduced from 7.300 milreis ($1.02) and 26 milreis ($3.64) to 3.600 milreis (50.4) cents) and 20 milreis ($2.80); tape reduced from 3.700 milreis (51.8 cents) to 1.400 milreis (19.6 cents) and 2.800 milreis (39.2 cents) a kilogram; parasol covers reduced from 6.500 milreis (91 cents) to 6 milreis (84 cents); mantles reduced from 78 per cent to 60 per cent ad valorem; laces reduced from 62 per cent to 60 per cent; shirts reduced from 16.900 milreis ($2.36) and 67 milreis ($9.38) to 13 milreis ($1.92) and 52 milreis ($7.28) a dozen; drawers reduced from 31 milreis ($4.34) to 24 milreis ($3.36) a dozen; collars reduced from 4.700 milreis (65.8 cents) to 3.600 milreis (50.4 cents); shirt bosoms reduced from 20.800 milreis ($2.91) to 12 milreis ($1.68); cuffs