880 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN October 23, 1914. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. /11A to 1/ /9|to /10 1/4 to 1/5 2/4^ /9 /m /5 /3t 15/9 to 17/3 Tar Products.—The two chief characteristics of the market this week are the sudden drop in the value of solvent naphthas (though crude remains about the same), and the persistent advance of toluol. Carbolics also are dearer. As regards benzols, there is no change. Pitch is virtually unquotable. Nearest values are :— Benzols..................................... Do. North............................... Toluol ...................................... Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) .......... Do. crystals (40 per cent.) ........ Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... Crude ditto (in bulk) ....................... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............ Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ..................... Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ..................... Tar (liquids in 1 ton) ....................... [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—Prices are firm and in cases advancing. This is especially the case on the coast, where the.demand has picked up considerably, £11 2s. 6d. to £11 5s. being asked for October/November delivery. In the north, also, prices are steady. Statisti- cally, the position is reassuring, and even though nitrate of soda is lower, sulphate producers still have excellent reasons for holding out against the “bearing ” efforts of those who will have to buy sooner or later. Closing prompt values are:— London (ordinary makes) .......... Beckton ........................... Liverpool ......................... Hull............................... Middlesbrough..................... Scotch ports ....................... Nitrate of soda (ordinary ex-Liver- pool) per cwt..................... [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis- count; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] some west from £10/7/6 £10 £10/13/9 to £10/17/6 £10/10 to £10/13/9 £10/12/6' ' £10/15 10/ Trade Notes. In many cases the necessity of manufacturing or obtain- ing a high-grade arsenic-free vitriol for sulphate production has proved either an expense or a difficulty. From time to time endeavours have been made to eliminate the sulphuric acid by the substitution of gypsum or sulphate of calcium. In many ways this would be an ideal substitution, and the reaction that takes place shows that 96 parts of the car- bonate of ammonium in the distillates reacts with 136 parts of gypsum, producing 132 parts of sulphate of ammonia, while carbonate of lime is precipitated. Some 50 years back a then eminent French chemist experi- mented with this reaction, and deemed it to be of consider- able importance, especially as he found it was strikingly assisted by the presence of a small quantity of calcium chloride. It seems desirable to re-open the investigation, for it appears that the earlier experiments came to nothing industrially. The most important thing to note is that although the idea has been claimed in several subsequent patents, the matter is really now common knowledge, and not fit subject matter for a patent. One small, but fresh, competitor for the world’s markets in sulphate of ammonia has been checked by the war, and that is Russia. Owing to the impecuniosity of the Russian farmers they did not seem to find a use for the sulphate made at home by the southern coke producers, and so an outlet was found in the Southern European countries. Last year some 20,000 tons were disposed of. Not a very impor- tant amount, but it indicates the opening of new markets, or those not cultivated by the United Kingdom exporters. This total is not likely to be increased this year. The claim that cyanamide ought not to be mixed with sulphate of ammonia, or with an acid phosphate, to prepare a mixed fertiliser was considered to be a drawback to the use of the newer source of nitrogen. It appears, however, that there is no liberation of free ammonia when less than 1501b. of cyanamide are used with 1,0001b. of acid phos- phate, and as 150 lb. is the limit imposed to ensure the availability of the phosphoric acid, this drawback is now disposed of as immaterial. The benzol plant that was put in operation at the Bank- foot ovens of Pease and Partners Limited about six months ago should be giving a good account of itself by now. In referring to the trade that is to be captured from Germany and Austria, we confined our remarks last week solely to tar products to the exclusion of sulphate of ammonia. Really the sulphate of ammonia market is greatly different in many ways from some of the other by-products, especially in the matter of freight and cost of inland transport, and a proper analysis of this trade cannot be made in a few notes; so many side issues have to be considered. Some of these we may be able to focus more accurately before long. Last month the exports of sulphate of ammonia were by no means discouraging. We only lost 1,070 tons through the closing of the German and French market, and Italy was about normal. Yet although the Dutch East Indies and Japan let us down by 8,000 tons, this total loss of 9,000 tons was reduced to the very reasonable figure of 2,200 tons decline on the gross shipments, thanks to the marked improvement in the demand from the West Indies and the U.S.A. Statistics are a bugbear to many, though an intelligent interpretation of them often leads to success, and there is often a grim humour to be found even in figures. We import a lot of basic slag from Germany, also bones. Last month the imports of slag decreased from £5,600 to £500, but the imports of bones, “ whether burnt or not ” increased. Last week we exported 3,370 tons of sulphate of ammonia. Of pitch, 2,128 tons (value not stated) and £94 worth. Tar £75 and 26 tons (value not stated). The exports of car- bolic acid and disinfectants increased considerably. We imported 296 barrels of pitch from America. __________________________ The German Coal Industry.—The German official wireless states that “ reports from industrial districts show that the German mining industry is again in full swing, and that it is often necessary for overtime to be worked. This con- trasts favourably with the condition of the British iron and steel industries, which are at a standstill, and except for the arms and ammunition factories British works are unable to obtain orders.” THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, October 22. _____________ _____________________________________ The London coal trade during the past week has felt the benefit of the colder weather, but the demand for household qualities is still tolerably weak. Merchants complain that the depot trade is slow, and that they have not a full comple- ment of orders to keep the horses regularly going. Many of these are back in the stables by two o’clock, and some have not been out all day. The buying on the market, how- ever, has been more free, and the tonnage to all the Metro- politan stations has increased. The railway companies are still coping with the difficulties of transit, and considerable delays to both loaded and empty wagons are frequently occurring. It is unfortunate that so many railway wagons are tied up at the present moment in stock, loaded with smalls of various qualities. The reduced outputs of the principal Midland collieries on account of the lessened number of men working at the pits since the enrolment for the war is making itself felt in many ways on the London market, and if it were not for the enormous arrivals from collieries further north, which have had their export trade seriously curtailed, the effect in London would be very pro- nounced. As it is, however, the seaborne arrivals are coming forward in greater numbers, and Yorkshire coal by rail is also increasing. The number of vessels recorded as arriving in the Thames for Monday’s market was 28, and 11 for Wednesday’s market; all, however, were loaded with contract coals, so that the official quotations for best Walls- end (21s. 6d. per ton) are still nominal. Best hard steam coals are firm, and prices are well maintained. The com- moner qualities, however, are somewhat slow, and the demand is quiet. Kitchen coals and bakers’ nuts have had a fair amount of attention during the week, and the prices are firm and steady. The tendency of the market, however, is slightly lower than the past two or three weeks have been, but a good volume of trade has been done. Factors have bought more freely, and the dealers’ trade has been more buoyant. The great difficulty is with the small nuts, peas, and slack, and the market has been literally surfeited with these qualities from every direction. Cargoes of sea- borne smalls have been constantly arriving in the river, and all the usual railborne collieries have been pouring these qualities into London until every avenue or outlet has become seriously congested, and prices materially affected. Nor is there any prospect of any better prices whilst the lighting (both gas and electric) is kept so low all over the Metropolis. Collieries are now said to be working four to four and a-half days per week, and the output on this is from 20 to 30 per cent, lower than usual in proportion to the number of men who have left for the war; so if colder weather should intervene, and the demand spring up, we shall soon begin to find the scarcity of fuel. At present there is a plentiful supply, and the demand is not so strong. The iron trade is reported to have a decidedly better tone, and although buyers are not taking very heavy quantities, the disposition to buy has recently been more pronounced. The improvement in the tone is attributed largely to the more favourable news from the seat of war. The sea trade, however, is still temporarily paralysed by the danger to shipping. No important change is recorded in the North Country coal trade. Freights have slightly advanced, but the tone of the market continues depressed. A fairly good demand is reported from Italy and some of the Channel ports. A more cheerful feeling is also experienced in the Lancashire district, and the iron and steel markets are doing better. The cotton trade, however, continues slow, and as this directly affects the London market by sending so many thousands of tons of smalls into the Metropolitan district, the prices of all these qualities of coal are suffering seriously at the present juncture. Nutty slacks, which have been selling at 6s. to 6s. 6d. pit before the war, are now obtainable at 3s. 6d. to 4s., and many of the fine slacks which were difficult to obtain at 3s. 6d. to 4s. are now selling freely at Is. 6d. to 2s. The best Admiralty South Wales coals are still largely retained by the Government for Naval purposes, and the prices remain firm. The best qualities are fetching 21s. to 22s. f.o.b. Cardiff. Market quotations (pit mouth) : Note.—Although every care is exercised to secure accuracy, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for these prices, which are, further, subject to fluctuations. Current Last week’s Last year’s Yorkshire. prices. prices. prices. Wath Main best coal 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. nuts i3/ 13/ 12/ Birley cube Silkstone 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. branch coal 16/6 16/6 16/ Do. seconds 11/ 11/ 11/ Barnsley Bed Silkstone 13/6 13/6 13/6 West Riding Silkstone 12/6 12/6 13/ Ki vet on Park Hazel — — 13/ Do. cobbles — — 13/ Do. nuts — — 12/ Do. hard steam — — 12/ New Sharlston Wallsend — — 15/ Wharncliffe Silkstone coal selected 15/6 15/6 16/ Do: Flockton Main ... 14/ 14/ 15/6 Do. Athersley house coal 11/6 11/6 12/ Newton Chambers best Silks. cobbles 13/6 13/6 17/ Do. Grange best Silk. 15/6 15/6 15/6 Do. Hesley Silkstone... 14'6 14/6 14/ • Do. Rockingham selec. 14/6 14/6 14/ Do. Rockingham Silk.. 14/ 14/ 13/6 Derbyshire. Wingfield Manor best 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. large nuts... 11/9 11/9 12/3 Do. small nuts... 9/ 9/ 1°/ Do. kitchen coal 9/ 9/ 10/6 West Hallam Kilburn brights 12/ 12/ 12/6 12/3 Do. do. nuts ... 11/9 11/9 Do. London brights 10/6 10/6 11/ Do. bright nuts 10/6 10/6 11/ Do. small nuts 9/ 9/ 10/ Manners Kilburn brights 12'6 12/6 12/6 Do. do. nuts 12/3 12/3 12/ Shipley do. brights 12'6 12’6 13/ Do. do. nuts 12/3 12/3 12/6 Mapperley brights 12/ 12/ 12'6 Do. hard steam 11/ 11/ 11/6 Cossall Kilburn brights 12/ 12/ 12/6 Derbyshire—(cont.) Current prices. Last week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Cossall Kilburn nuts 11/9 11/9 12/ Trowell Moor brights 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. do. nuts 11 9 11/9 • 12/ Grassmoor Main coal 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. Tupton 11/ 11/ 1116 Do. do. nuts 10 6 10/6 11/6 Clay Cross Main coal 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. do. cubes 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. special Derbys 11/6 11/6 12/ Do. house coal 11/ 11/ 11/6 Pilsley best blackshale 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. deep house coal 11/ 11/ 11/6 Do. hard screened coal 10/6 10/6 11/ Hardwick best Silkstone 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. Cavendish brights... 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. cubes 12/ 12/ 12/6 Nottinghamshire. Clifton picked hards 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. small hards 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. deep large steam 9/ 9/ 12/ Annesley best hards 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/9 Linby best hards 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/9 Digby London brights 13/ 13/ 13/ Do. cobbles 13/ 13/ 13/ Do. top hards 13 13/ 13/ Do. High Hazel coal 1 15/6 15/6 14/6 Best wood hard steam coal 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/9 Hucknall Torkard main hards ... 12/9 12/9 12/9 Do. do. cobbles 11/3 11/3 11)3 Do. do. nuts 10/6 10/6 11/ Do. do. High Hazel HP. 15/3 15/3 14/9 Do. do. London brights 12/9 12/9 12/3 Do. do. large nuts... 12/9 12/9 12/3 Do. do. bright nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Sherwood H.P. hards 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. hard steam 11/6 11/6 11/6 Do. brights 11/6 11/6 11/3 Do. cobbles 10/9 10/9 11/3 Do. large nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Warwickshire. Griff large steam coal 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles 11/6 11/6 11/6 11/3 Do. bakers’ nuts 11/ 11/ Do. loco Two Yard hards 14/ X-L/ 14/ 14/6 Do. Ryder nuts 11/6 11/6 11/9 *7 * Do. do. cobbles 13/6 13/6 13/ Nuneaton steam coal 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles ... 12/6 12/6 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Haunchwood steam 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles 12/ 12/ 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Wyken steam coal 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles 12/ 12/ 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 11 3 Exhall Ell coal spires 12/6 12/6 14/3 Do. large steam coal 11/6 11/6 12/ Leicestershire. South Leicester steam 10/9 10/9 10/ Do. cobbles or small hards 11/3 11/3 10/6 Do. nuts 11/ 11/ 10/6 Whitwick steam 11/ 11/ 10/ Do. roasters -1. A/ 11/6 11/6 xv7 10/6 Do. cobbles 11/6 11 6 10/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 10/6 Nether seal hards 18/ 18/ 18'/ Do. Eureka 13/ 13/ XMZ 12/6 Do. kitchen 10/ 10/ 10/6 Ibstock kibbles 11 9/9 Do. large nuts ... 11/ — 9 6 Do. bakers’ nuts 10/6 9/ Do. Main nuts 10/6 9/6 Do. hards 9/6 9/3 Granville New Pit cobbles ... 11/ Do. Old Pit cobbles — — 11/ North Staffordshire. Talk-o’-th’-Hill best 13/6 13/6 13/ Sneyd best, selected xo/ 14/6 Do. deeps 14/ Silverdale best . 14/ Do. cobbles 13/ Apedale best 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. seconds 13/6 13/6 AM/ 12/9 Podmore Hall best 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. seconds 13/3 13/3 AM/ 12/6 S. Staffs. (Cannock District). Walsall Wood steam coal, London brights 12/6 12/6 11/ Do. shallow one way 12/6 12/6 11/ Do. deep nuts 12/ 12/ 11/6 Cannock steam 10/ 10/ 10/9 Coppice deep coal 15/ xv/ 15/ 14'6 Do. cobbles 14/6 14/6 14' Do. one way 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. shallow coal 14 6 14/6 13/6 Cannock Chase deep main ..... 16/ 16/ 16/ Do. Deep kitchen cob. 12/ 12/ 11/6 Do* best shallow main 14/ 14/ 13/ Do. shallow kibbles.. 13/9 13/9 13/6 Do. best brights 13/6 13 6 13/ Do. yard cobbles 12/9 12 9 13/6 Do. yard nuts 12/ 12' 12/6 Do. bakers’ nuts 10/9 10/9 10/3 Do. screened hards... 12/ 12/ 11/9 From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, October 16.—There were no seaborne house coals on offer at to-day’s market, which remained quiet. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 22. Monday, October 19.—The seaborne house coal market was again unchanged to-day, no immediate cargoes pressing for sale, and the enquiry being very limited. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 22. Wednesday, October 21.—There was no alteration in in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which continued quiet, only small quantities changing hands in Yorkshire, at steady prices. Sharlston W?E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 11.