The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

MARCH 13, 1902. THE WHEAT HARVEST. Crop reports from the American side of the Atlantic Ocean are being very closely watched in European mar- kets and the Argentine wheat estimate is markedly an object of interest. The government estimate of 72,000,000 bushels is not generally credited, and 19,000,000 bushels as the exportable surplus is regarded as the amount available for foreign markets. ‘The Argentine Republic, has, how- ever, begun to increase its exports, and 520,000 bushels were shipped in the week ending January 25, as against 96,000 bushels in the week previous, and as compared with 700,000 bushels in the corresponding week of. 1901. It is generally conceded that the Argentine output might be greatly increased were more modern and improved methods of iiarvesting the crop employed. ‘The wheat is thrashed as soon after harvesting as a machine can be secured, but as the thrashing machines are usually owned by a local merchant or by a combination of farmers, some delay is necessitated. On the large farms where crops are grown by tenants, the machine is owned by the land owner and more expedition is possible. All wheat is bagged at the machine and none is handled’in bulk. Prac- tically none of the growers have facilities for protecting their grain from the weather, and the bags are simply stacked up in the open field. At the stations the railroads have provided small sheds of galvanized iron, but these are never large enough to hold more than a fraction of the grain shipped. At all stations of importance there is competition in buying and large exporters have regular stations where their purchase are made. At the ports of shipment, Rosario, Buenos Ayres, Bahia Blanca, and the less important river points, there is comparatively little storage room, and. when the exporter has a vessel ready to load he enceavors to put it on board directly from the ; cars. There are no country elevators in use, and the few at Rosario and Buenos Ayres are used simply for mixing houses and to facilitate loading in bulk when the shipper prefers that method of shipment. In December, 1900, pre- liminary steps were taken for the erection of grain ele- vators and storehouses at the various maritime stations of the Republic, a German firm being reported as having secured government authorization for the scheme, as noted in the Monthly Bulletin for May, 1901. The present method is expensive and wasteful, but the loss from weather damage after thrashing is really much smaller than might be expected, being confined mainly to the top and bottom layer of bags. ‘To develop the full possibilities of the Argentine wheat crop and secure com) mensurate returns for the labor invested would necessitate the constructicn of granaries for farm storage, and also radical changes in the methods of transportation, as all the railroad cars for this purpose are of the flat car style and provide no protection against weather. AN IMPROVEMENT IN WATER TUBE BOILERS. A criticism frequently urged against a common form of the water-tube boiler is that a single connection between the header and the drum has to carry the water circulating in all the tubes of the vertical section to which it is.con- nected. ‘The mingled water and steam are discharged with a considerable velocity into the steam drum, a condition favorable to the production of wet steam, but when this velocity is divided among’ the seven or more tubes constitut- ing the vertical staggered row, the attainable velocity in each becomes restricted: In one well known type this ‘objection is met, but at the sacrifice of portability, by using “a large single header and connecting it to the drum with a large neck. _ According to the views of Mr. James Anderson, engineer of the Kent Avenue Power House of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co., this restriction of the circulation not-only tends to reduce that in each tube below the desirable rate, but produces an inequality of supply to the several tubes, and ina direction opposite tothat required. On account of their direct exposure to the fire, a large proportion of the steam generated in the boiler is produced in the two bottom rows of tubes. These tubes should have the largest sup- ply from the drop tubes in the rear, but if the water de- scending the rear ttitbes goes by the path of least resistance through the upper tubes, the lower ones will be robbed. Mr. Anderson’s modification consists in making his headers of a width sufficient to make two or three connecting nip- ples into the drum, and putting into the rear or descending header a partition extending downward to the top of the second row of tubes. ' This plate has a hole opposite each tube to allow it to be cleaned or removed, but the holes are capped so that all the water descending through the back nipple is forced to make its way to the lower rows of tubes and they are assured of a constant supply, even under the severe conditions cf forced draught and high furnace temperatures. A boiler embodying these modifications will be put upon the market by the New York Steam Boiler Co., 11 Broadway, New York. rr OPPOSITION FOR THE TRUST. Supervising Inspector Westcott, of Detroit, is now con- sidering the appeal of Capt. James H. Buchannan from the decision of the inspectors at Port Huron. Capt. Buch- annan was, after examination, refused an advance in license from first-class pilot:to master and first-class pilot. THE MARINE RECORD. THE CRAIG SHIPBUILDING CO. ’ The Craig Ship Building Co., of New Jersey, has been organized and has taken over the property of the Toledo Dry-Dock Co. The new company has a capitalization of $1,250,000, of which $625,000 is preferred and $650,000. is common stock. ‘The Craig Ship Building Co. has exectited bonds in the sum of $150,000, secured by a trust deed cov-' ering all the property»of the company. ‘he deed and trust deed have been filed for record. ‘The new officers of the company are: President, John, Craig; vice-president, E. W. Tolerton; treasurer, John F. Craig; secretary, A. H. Merrell; general manager, George Craig. With the organization of this company John Craig retires from the active management. He leaves for California and Frou- olulu. and may decide to extend his trip. He will be gone for a number of months. a ABSTRACT OF PROPOSALS Received at Duluth, Minn., March 5, 1902, for dredging at Portage Lake Ship Canals, Mich. Amount to be expended, about $40,000. | | 3 1 ta n For Dredging per Sad re NAME AND ADDRESS OF Cubic yard, scow | 2 yas Total BIDDERS. measurement, wo & ae (cents. ego a Goh aged eagle SRI BS) Sl ml om me. or 10 «| 2nd i=] 3 =] i=] i=} (so) [S} (a) o 5 1S} ay 1S} (3) Oo o o o o o nN WM In WwW wn The Buffalo Dredge Co., BubialowN.. Vesa es 32 | 16 | 24 | 16 | 16 | $20 00 '|$¢70,480 The L. P. & J. A. Smith Co., Cleveland Oi sank 30 | 16 | 25 | 16 | 20} 2000 | 73,050 James Pryor, : Houghton, Mich........... 19 | 10 | 17 | 10 | 10} 15 00 | 45,470 Duluth Dredge and Dock Co., ‘ DO whithY Minas cee es 19.5] 11 | 18 |10.5) 10 | 15 00 | 48,080 Samuel O. Dixon, Milwaukee, Wis.......... 25 | 22.) 25 | 12 | 12 17 50 | 71,750 — $$ or STATEMENT OF THE VISIBLE SUPPLY OF GRAIN. As compiled by George F. Stone, Secretary Chicago Board of Trade March 8, 1902. CITIES WHERE WHEAT.| CoRN. Oats. RYE. | Ba: LEY STORED. Bushels. | Busheéls. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels Buitaloi-ie7. oscce na 2,429,000 344,000 332,000 2,000} 569,000 SS SS AROAt ocentie os 361,000 Big: GOO | Bese SIE eater mene Chicago.............. 6,565,000] 4,436,000 421,000] 973,000 169,000 shoe AL OA beeen ie AL7sGOOl Gooey see 40.000 Ups OOO) ene se ahhs th Detroit: 70 sagen aeicss 289.006 II§,000 22,000 80,000 28,000 Duluth.............. 12,975,900} 127,000 372,00 457,000} 314,000 ” Seafloat ss sseas SEL; O00 |). /c ajee dita | mc utevele deat | ‘ePmonteotaisiete ia neatanreretete eee Bort William: Ont::°45453 000) 050 setae le wane tcr ia wion a hel coda rane Milwaukee......... 630 000 203 ,00¢ 361,000 34,000 176 000 Minneapolis ........ 15.502,0c0 102,000 176,000 44,700 71,000 Montreal e.cseek 85,000 11,0co 217,000 22,0c0 59,000 Port Arthur, Ont... DSO OOG be isis) eaia slau a se pre eilies Uae WED al we wom tin © TOLEGO. waaeecs te: 83,000] 874,000 55,000 168,000] ......... Toronto. =~ 20.2: 66,000]... .... TROON Ohae 45,000 On Canals........... 46,000 3,000) 112,000 37,000 50,000 Grand Total..... 53,155,000} 10,085,000] 4,014,000} 2,121,000] 1,885,coo Corresponding Date, ¢ IGG ice bps de cients 55,892,0-0] 21,014,000] 10,338,000] 1,115,000] 1 355,000 TnCtense fOr Weeks. hese yen sles c cass calesommastelvew ss vc eal aaa is i Decrease ‘ s§ 938,000 248,000 23.2,0C0 72,000 153,000 While the stock of grain at lake ports only is here given, the total shows the figure. for the entire country except the Pacific Slope. —_—_—_ OO OS EASTERN FREIGHT REPORT. Messrs. Funch, Edve & Co., New York, report the con- ditions of the eastern freight market as follows: The onlv direction in which any activity in chartering has been manifested during the present week is for deals from the Bay of Fundy ports, timber and general cargo from the Gulf. The fact that owners have made some slight concessions in the rates previously asked have in- duced charterers to operate more freely. In con- nection with the general cargo charters effected from the. Gulf, one or two steamers have given the privilege of loading part cargoes of phosphate at an extra loading port, which has considerab- ly assisted charterers in combining general cargo from the usual. Gulf loading ports. In other directions, however, the situation remains unchanged. Whilst there are a number of enquiries for coal to Mediterranean ports, owners are pursuing a policy of holding their interests rather than accept the present low figures indicated by shippers. ‘Time. charters are still confined to very small limits, and what little business is being done in this branch, is only for very short periods Although there has been a trifle more inquiry for sail tonnage, it cannot be said that the situation shows any improvement. ‘The low rates bid on the part of charterers still appears a restriction to business of any consequence. INSPECTOR OF HULLS. | - >> “PHILIPPINE SERVICE,;MARCH 24-25, 1902. - “et The United States Civil Service Commission announces that on March 24-25; 1902, an examination will be held at the places mentioned in the accompanying list, for the posi- tion of inspector of huils in the Philippine Service, at a sal- _ ary of $2,000 per annum. ; Piney ed Information relative to the scope of the examination may be found in sections 37 and 162 of the Manual of Examina- tions, revised to January 1, 1902. ‘The subject of sea navi- gation will be included. Age limit, 18 to.40 years. es This examination is open to all citizens of the United States whe comply with the requirements. Nee. ee his examination offers an excellent ‘opportunity to — young men to enter a service which has many attractive features, and to see a most interesting part of the world. The Philippine service is classified, and the law contem- plates promotion on the basis of merit from the lowest to the highest positions. ea Thirty days’ leave of absence is granted each year, ex- clusive of Sundays and holidays, and those employees who are promoted to $1,800 per annum are entitled to thirty- — five days, or about forty days including Sundays and holi- days. Leave is also cumulative, and at the end of three. years those who have to their credit cumulative leave for. two years may visit the United States without having the time in going to and returning from San Francisco charged against their leave. China and Japan are near at hand and are favorite places to visit during vacations. Appointees will be required to pay their traveling -ex-. penses to San Francisco, but the Government furnishes them transportation free of charge on its transports from » that point to Manila, but exacts a charge of $1.50 a day for meals while en route, which is’ returned to the appointee upon his arrival at Manila. : The Philippine climate is good, and nearly all of the em- ployees are in excellent health. Medical attendance is furnished. employees without cost. Good accommodations (room and board) can be secured in Manila for about $35) a month, while employees assigned outside of Manila ob- tain cheaper accommodations. i pe resds: The office accommodations in Manila are good, and the work is done under pleasant conditions. : Persons who desire to compete should at once apply to the United States Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., or to the secretary of the local board of examiners ise places mentioned in the accompanying list, for a copy of the Manual of txaminations and application Form 1087. . The application should be properly executed and filed with the Commission at the earliest practicable date. The regula- tion requiring that applications be filed at least ten days prior to the date of the examination will be waived in ac- cepting applications for this examination. March’ 8, 1902. — i 2 ea VAGARIES OF THE TIDE. There are as many vagaries in the waters as in the winds. Why, for instance, should three great ocean cur- rents send their warm waters across the wide Pacific, At- lantic, and across the Cape of Good Hope? There have been many theories advanced to solve the problem of their origin, but all have proved fallacious. Other and equally mysterious currents exist in well-nigh all parts of the world. ‘The tides are so erratic in different parts of the world that one hesitates to accept the theory that the moon controls them in all cases, says the London Shipping Werld. It is on record that the sea has run for weeks out of the Java sea throush the Straits of Sunda and thence back again for a like period without any perceptible rise or fall durine those times. Then there is the equatorial current that flows into the Caribbean sea, the everflowing current to the eastward around Cape Horn, the cold stream flowing from the icy regions of the north past Newfound- land and Nova Scotia and alone the American coast to the extreme end of Florida, the continual current running with a velocity of from four to five knots an hour through the straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean sea, the swift current running across the rocks and shoals off the end of Billiton Island, which apparently starts from no- where and ends somewhere in the vicinity of the same place, and the current which, starting half way up the China sea, runs from two to three knots an hour to the northeast and finally ends abruptly off the north end of Luzon. ‘Then we have those tidal vagaries known the world over as bores. Residents on Severnside are fa- miliar with them, and those that run up the Hooghly and Irrawaddy rivers, from side to side, in a zigzag shape, till they reach their limit, often tearing the ships from an- chorage, originate nobody knows where or why. ‘The rush of ,waters in the Bav of Fundy is nothing but a huge bore sweeping all before it up to the head of the bay till the western waters have risen to the height of 50 or 60 feet. Off Southampton we have the double tides, while at. Singapore it has been observed for days at a time that there has been but one rise and fall in the 24 hours. The tides may. be, and verv often appear as though they were, “moon struck,” but they certainly are not controlled with hard and fast rules by that or any other body. ‘ as ge The Senate passed a bill appropriating $18,000 for a light and. fog signal station at Crisp’s Point, Lake Superior, Michigan.