What is of far more real consequence to us than the possible change from
coal gas to oil gas, however, as long as we remain manufacturers of the
former, is the value of our residual products, which has suffered so
great and sudden a decline in value, for which various remedies have
been proposed, though none of them, I regret to say, have as yet
restored anything like the former value. A statement of the highest
prices realized for coal tar products, and a comparison with those
obtained on the 30th of March last year and at the same time this year,
may not be uninteresting:
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| | Highest | Price on | Price on |
| | Price | March 30, | March 30, |
| | | 1886 | 1887 |
| |--------------+---------------+---------------+
| | per gal. | per gal. | per gal. |
| |----+----+----+---+-----------+---------------+
| | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
| |----+----+----+----+----+-----+----+----+-----+
|Crude naphtha | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4½ | 0 | 0 | 8½ |
|Benzol (90 per cent.)| 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
|Solvent naphtha | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|Burning naphtha | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10½ | 0 | 0 | 10 |
|Creosote oil | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0¾ | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | | | |
| | per ton. | per ton. | per ton. |
| |----+----+----+----+----+-----+----+----+-----+
| | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
| |----+----+----+----+----+-----+----+----+-----+
|Pitch | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 |
|Sulphate of ammonia | 21 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 0 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
This shows a great fall in value from highest to lowest, which seems to
have been touched last year, except in the case of pitch and sulphate of
ammonia, both of which have marked a considerable decline, even since
last year, but it is pleasing to note that the others have shown at
least some slight improvement--crude naphtha and benzol having during
the year risen nearly one hundred per cent. in value. Let us hope that
this is the precursor of a general rise in value from which we shall all
profit. For the purpose of bringing about this much desired end, I
understand that some of the gentlemen present to-day have been burning
their tar in the retort furnaces, and as it will be interesting to know
what success they have attained, I hope some of them will favor us with
their experience on this subject.
In conclusion, let me express the hope that the time is not far distant
when the general trade of the country will attain to its wonted
prosperity, by which every branch of industry will benefit--ours among
the number; and that the hard times we have experienced, now for a
considerable number of years, may not again return.
Discussion next took place regarding the Welsbach incandescence gas
light, which was opened by Mr. McGrilchrist, who remarked on the very
fragile and tender nature of the "mantle," and expressed a hope that in
this direction improvement might be looked for. It was certainly a
beautiful light, and as to its consumption, he stated that the lamp then
shown to the meeting was only burning two cubic feet of gas per hour. [A
voice: Two and two-tenths.] He felt satisfied that it would enable the
manufacturers of gas to compete with paraffin oil, so that with Glasgow
gas they could have such a light as they saw at the rate of 4d. for
about fifty hours.
Mr. W. Key (Tradeston Gas Works) made a statement giving the results of
inquiries he had made at St. Enoch Station Hotel, where the light has
for some time been on exhibition. From the answers given to his
inquiries he spoke rather disparagingly of the lamp, but chiefly on
account of the expense involved in renewing the "mantles" and the glass
chimneys. He admitted, however, that the lamps which he had seen were
placed very unfavorably, being exposed to the action of somewhat violent
draughts, and he subsequently remarked that the lamp was of such a
nature as to effect the complete combustion of the carbon contained in
the gas. The burner must, therefore, be regarded as a great boon--as
_the_ burner, in short.
Mr. D.M. Nelson (Glasgow) gave his experience gained in connection with
the light, remarking that one of the great drawbacks to it was the very
great rarity of the mineral from which the zirconium was obtained. So
scarce was it that it would become dearer than platinum and more
valuable than gold if the lamp came into general use. The light which
the lamp gave out, though it possessed intensity, was deficient in
diffusibility as compared with that given out from ordinary flat flame
gas burners, and this was another objection to it. He argued at some
length against the financial aspects of the scheme which was being
promoted to buy up the Welsbach patents, and to introduce the lamp into
this country. His advice to his friends was not to have anything to do
with the Welsbach company, and, as investors, to be very careful in
accepting all the statements made about the light, which he predicted
would not be a financial success.
Mr. McCrae was strongly opposed to any discussion being raised in regard
to the question being considered in its financial aspects. They, as gas
engineers, did not require to trouble themselves with the doings of
investors. He regarded the Welsbach burner as an improved appliance for
consuming gas. It was an invention which was quite new to him, and as he
was not in possession of any facts which would enable him to condemn it,
he thought they ought, at least, to give it a fair trial. Referring to
the fragile nature of the "mantle," he remarked that there were minds at
work aiming at giving a purer and more brilliant light from gas, and so
far he was of opinion that the light before them was a success. His
opinion as to the diffusibility of the light emitted from the burner
differed from that of Mr. Nelson, as he considered the light possessed
that quality in a high degree. He had no doubt that the minds already at
work on the incandescent light would seek out means for improving the
burner.
* * * * *
To varnish chromos, take equal quantities of linseed oil and oil of
turpentine; thicken by exposure to the sun and air until it becomes
resinous and half evaporated; then add a portion of melted beeswax.
Varnishing pictures should always be performed in fair weather, and out
of any current of cold or damp air.
* * * * *