Meanwhile, the world's production of wrought iron has not been
stationary. I cannot give very accurate figures, as the statistics of
some countries are incomplete, while in others the output of puddled
bar only, and not that of finished iron, has been ascertained. The
nearest estimate which I can arrive at is a production increased from
about 5,000,000 tons in 1869 to somewhat over 8,000,000 tons of
finished iron in 1882; an increase all the more remarkable when it is
considered that at the present time iron rails have been almost
entirely superseded by steel. It is due, no doubt, in part to the
extensive use of iron plates and angles in shipbuilding; but, apart
from these, and from bars for the manufacture of tin-plates, the
consumption has increased for the numberless purposes to which it is
applied in the world's economy.