!
no
Ws
BANCROFT
LIBRARY
o
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
J. W. POWELL DIRECTOR
QUICKSILVER
ABSTRACT FROM "MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES,
CALENDAR YEARS 1&S3 AND l^r ALIJERT^VVILLLVMS, JK.,
CHIEF OF DIVISION OF MINING STATISTICS
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1885
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
J. W. POWELL DIRECTOR
QUICKSILVER
ABSTRACT FROM "MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES,
CALENDAR YEARS 1883 AND 1884 ' ? ALBERT ^WILLIAMS, JR.,
CHIEF OF DIVISION OF MINING STATISTICS
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1885
QUICKSILVER.
Present status of the industry. The quicksilver industry is in a de-
pressed condition. The production has fallen off largely, but this has
not had the effect of stimulating prices to a great extent,, though just at
the close of 1884 a slight improvement occurred. The leading causes of
this depression are the sharp foreign competition in the markets of the
world and the decrease in the demand for quicksilver in amalgamating
mills. An important outlet for domestic quicksilver, the manufacture
of vermilion in China, is apparently closed for the present, the Chinese
having obtained their supply in 1884 from other sources. For several
years the few California mines in operation have either been worked
with a slender margin of profit or at a loss ; and one by one the list of
producers has dwindled, the survivors being of course the richest and
best equipped establishments. The New Almaden was the only one
which paid a dividend in 1884. It cannot be said that the outlook for
the immediate future is especially cheering. With many metallic prod-
ucts a cheapening in price means an increase in consumption ; as, for
instance, in the case of copper, which finds a partial relief in the more
extended field caused by the growing use of brass in the arts ; or as
with Bessemer steel, which is gradually supplanting other formerly
cheaper materials of construction. The quicksilver consumption, on
the contrary, is very inelastic. Important discoveries of gold and sil-
ver ores suitable for amalgamation would have a favorable effect on the
quicksilver trade, but it is not likely that the amalgamation method will
regain its former position in precious-metal metallurgy, as compared
with smelting and leaching processes. New utilizations, such as those
mentioned in a subsequent paragraph, may, however lighten the mar-
ket.
Domestic sources. In addition to the localities enumerated in the pre-
vious report a few doubtful occurrences, lacking confirmation, have been
reported in the newspapers, but it is safe to say that nothing new of
any importance has been found. The actual production is exclusively
from the California mines, of which the New Almaden and Guadalupe,
in Santa Clara county ; the New Idria, in Fresno county ; the Sulphur
Bank, Hedington, and Great Western, in Lake county, and the Napa
and ^33tna, in Napa county, have furnished nearly all of the recent
supply. In the table of production the yield of a number of the less
important mines in past years is stated individually. In 1870 about
thirty mines were productive, but only eleven yielded any quicksilver
in 1834, of which only six produced over 1,000 flasks, and the number
492
1
ti QUICKSILVEE. 493 j
was still further reduced at the eiid of the year. Even the Guadalupe
and the Sulphur Bank, mines well equipped with plant for mining and
treating ores, have now practically ceased work. The active mines now
number but six. with fifteen furuaces in operation. An improvement
in the market, if it promised to be lasting, would lead to the reopening
of a few of the best of the now idle mines, but for the majority of the
'abandoned claims there is little hope.
Production. The statistics of production have been compiled by Mr.
J. B. Eaudol, manager of the i^ew Almaden mine, and present a full
report of the American quicksilver output. Mr. Kandol's work is a model
of statistical completeness. It will be noticed that in 1883 there were
6,0(K flasks less made than in 1882 5 while the decrease in 1884, as corn-
pared w 7 ith the yield in 1883, was even greater, amounting to a differ-
ence of 14,812 flasks. The output m 1884 was less than in any year
since 1874, and much less than half that of the most prosperous years.
It was also below the average for the whole series of years from the in-
ception of quicksilver mining in the United States, the average for the
thirty-five years having been 39,095 flasks.
494
MINERAL
K.mnu
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QUICKSILVER.
495
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
I860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
!876t
I&77 1
)87S
1879
1880
188>
1882
1883
1884-
> ,3
f
Ss
496 MINERAL RESOURCES.
Production of quicksilver in California in 1883, by months.
a
.
ri
d
<D
d
.
H
|
1
J'
Months.
j3
B
4
.2
i
1
\
1
o
1
fc
M
i
&
O
>
H
Flasks.
Flasks.
Flasks.
Flanks.
FVkg.
Flasks.
Flasks.
Flasks.
FVbs.
Flasks.
2 497
112
367
280
77
390
590
262
7
4,582
February
2, 150
133
181
310
3C4
295
156
4
3,600
March "
2 230
142
202
335
305
485
162
14
3,875
April
1 756
76
243
310
294
530
142
3
3, 354
May
2 344
144
135
350
293
325
164
13
3, 7G8
June
2 214
137
165
91
400
360
184
10
3, 561
July
2 618
85
141
130
446
452
150
2
4,024
August
3 000
139
94
112
315
695
76
4,431
3 010
164
45
265
297
750
81
30
4 642
October
2*672
272
109
206
215
5 I
134
4,129
November
2,212
115
78
160
208
613
102
3, 488
December
2 297
87
134
63
342
274
56
18
3,271
Total
29 000
1 606
1 894
2 612
84
3 69
5 890
1,669
101
46, 725
a Production of ,3tna and Napa- mines in 1883 under heading of Napa mine.
Production of quicksilver in California in 1884, by months.
jj
s
g
gj
i
a?
c
eS
M
s
"CD
Months.
j3
i
a
1
1
00
}
H
a
^a
-3
eS
j
+J
I
.
I
s
?
*
1
I
_g
1
2
B
9
i
%
fc
&
OJ
(3
&
$
fc
o
>
H
Flasks.
Flasks.
FVks.
Fl'ks.
Flasks.
Flasks.
FVks.
FVks.
FVks.
FVks.
Flasks.
January
1 440
103
127
263
373
329
135
28
7
2,805
February
458
59
104
241
276
174
9
? 321
March
606
36
123
68
223
249
152
2
2,459
785
75
50
76
232
422
69
2 709
May
672
125
53
200
169
245
6
2,470
859
44
118
200
258
215
2 694
July
543
29
71
52
200
258
374
101
2 628
804
63
47
20
306
334
228
110
'> 912
September
1 448
67
52
35
58
354
136
169
58
2 377
October
1,625
115
68
25
160
328
153
90
104
2, 668
November
1 900
]57
32
53
150
230
132
240
91
2 985
December
1,860
152
36
98
105
292
172
130
40
2, 885
Total
20, 000
1,025
J,U
881
890
1,179
3, 292
2,931
1,376
332
7
31, 913
Foreign production. The leading foreign quicksilver mines are the Al-
inaden, in Spain, and the Idria, in Austria. Compared with these, the
other foreign sources are insignificant. The Almaden has been worked
for hundreds of years, and is still producing largely. Its output from
1504 to 1875 was 120,179 Spanish tons, or 3,482,758 flasks of 75 Spanish
pounds (of 76.07 pounds avoirdupois). Up to the close of 1884 it had
yielded 3,918,784 flasks, an average production of about 12,000 flasks
yearly for 319 years. The Idria mine was discovered in 1490 or 141)7,
and next to the Almaden has furnished the greater part of the world's
quicksilver supply for nearly four centuries. Since 1850, however, the
California mines have contributed one-half of the total supply,
QUICKSILVER.
497
Production of theAlmaden mine (Spain) and Ihe Idria mine (Austria") from 1850 to close of
1884.
Years.
A 1 m a d e n
(in periods of
five years).
Idria.
Years.
Almaden
(in periods of
five years).
Idria.
1850
Flasks.
\ 101, 517-J
J (
1 (
1
j- 110, 058 <
J I
1 j
1 *"1
[> 153, 224 -j
Flask*.
4,100
4,092
4,085
4,409
i, OCO
4,446
5,935
9,189
4,977
8, 239
4,821
6,493
4,712
5,878
4*, 908
5,327
7, 532
8, 253
9,179
1870
Flasks.
1 f
V 165, 608 ^
1 1
j> 208, 200 <
041, 640
50, 353
46, 591
46, 143
43, 099
Flasks.
10, 745
10, 904
11,116
10, 939
10, 789
10, 717
10, 794
11,020
10, 403
11,153
12, 356
11,333
11. 663
13; 152
613, 000
185 L
1871
1852
; 1872
1853
i 1873
1854
1874
1^55
i 1875
1856
1876
1857
i 1877
1858
I 1878
1859 . .
1 1879
1860
1880
1861
j 1881
1862
1863
1883 . .
18G4
1884
18G5
Total, thirty-five years..
1866 .
1, 088, 550
288, 982
1867
1868
18C9
a Yearly. 6 Estimated.
The world's production of quicksilver from 1850 to the close of 1884.
Localities.
Number of
flasks.
Pounds
avoirdupois to
the flask.
California
1 389 316
76 50
Spain . . ...
l' 088* 550
76 07
Austria
288 982
76 07
Total...
2. 766. 848
Prices. Until recently it lias been customary in this country to quote
the price of quicksilver at so many cents per pound, while in the Lon-
don market quotations have been in pounds sterling per flask. It is
now becoming the rule in San Francisco to state prices by the flask, at
the American standard of 76J net pounds avoirdupois. For conven*.
ience in comparing the two systems a conversion table, prepared by Mr.
Randol, is appended, which shows equivalent prices per flask and per
pound, within the range of recent fluctuations :
Price of quicksilver per flask and per pound.
Per
flask.
Equivalent
iii cents
per pound.
Per
flask.
Equivalent
in cents
per pound.
i Per
: flask.
Equivalent
in cents
per pound.
Per
flask.
Equivalent
in cents j
per pound.
$26. 00
. 33. 98
$29.00
37.91
$32. 00
41.83 !
$35. 00
45.75
26.25
34.31
29. 25
38. 23
32.25
42.16
35.25
46.07
26.50
34.64
29.50
38.56
32. 50
42.48
35.50
46.40
26.75
34.96
29.75
38.89
32. 75
42.81
35.75
46.73
27.00
35.29
30.00
39. 21
33. 00
43. 14 !
36.00
47.05
27. 23
35.62
30.25
39.54
i 33. 25
43.47 !
36.25
47.38
27.50
35.95
30.50
39.87
! 33. 50
43. 79 ;
36. 50
47.71
27.75
36. 27
30.75
40.20
! 33.75
44.12
36.75
48.04
28.00
36.60
31.00
40.52
i 34.00
44.45
37.00
48.36
28.25
36.93
31.25
40. 85
| 34.25
44.77 :
37.25
48.69
28.50
37.25
31.50
41.18
i 34. 50
45. 10 !
37.50
49.02
28.75
37.58
31.75
41. 50
34. 75
45.43 !
37.75
49.34
2 M
498
MINERAL RESOURCES.
The following table shows the range in price since 1850 in the two
great markets. The lowest price ($25.25 per flask) at San Francisco
was touched in 1879, though the average for the year 1883 ($26.83 as
computed by averaging monthly quotations) was the lowest yearly aver-
age. While prices were also very much depressed during the greater
part of 1884, a sudden rise to $35 toward the close of the year brought
the average of the monthly quotations up to $29.34 for the year. Com-
puted at these averages, the total value of the product of 1883 was
$ 1,253,632, and that of J 884 was $936,327. The highest price was reached
in 1874 and 1875, when quicksilver sold up to $118.55 per flask, at which
time the demand for amalgamation was great, and before the subsequent
temporary expansion in production. Thus the minimum price was less
than a quarter of the highest rate obtained, showing a remarkably wide
range in values.
Highest and lowest prices of quicksilver during ihe past thirty-Jive years.
Years.
Price in San Fran-
cisco per flask.
Price in London per
flask.
Highest.
Lowest.
Highest.
Lowest.
1850 .
$114. 75
76.50
61.20
55. 45
55.45
55. 45
51.65
53. 55
49.75
76.50
57.35
49.75
38.25
45.90
45.90
45. 90
57 35
$84. 15
57.35
55.45
55. 45
55.45
51. 65
51.65
45.90
45. 90
49.75
49.75
3f45
34.45
38. 25
45. "0
45.90
45.90
45.90
45.90
45.90
45.90
57.35
65.00
68.85
91.80
49.75
34.45
30.60
29.85
25. 25
27.55
27.90
27.35
26.00
26.00
.
15
13
11
8
7
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
9
8
8
7
6
6
10
12
13
20
26
24
12
9
7
8
7
7
6
5
6
s.
15
10
16
15
17
10
10
10
6
17
17
10
5
15
15
6
17
15
d.
6
6
.
13
12
9
8
7
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
9
10
12
19
9
7
7
6
5
6
6
5
5
5
*. d.
2 6
5
7 6
2 6
5
10
10
10
5
10
17 6
17 6
16
16
16
16
10
17
17
2
7
17
7 6
2 6
15
5
2 6
1851
1852
1853
i.-Ct-l
1855
lh.,6
1 857
1 c: 58
1851)
IhGO
1<6-1
18U4
ib(j;j ..
lHi4
1865
18uti
1867
45.90
45. 90
45.90
68>5
68.85
66.95
91.80
118.55
118. 55
53.55
44.00
35. 95
34. 45
34.45
31.75
29.10
28.50
35.00
1&69
1870
1871 ...
'872
1873 . . ..
1874
1875
187(5
1877 . .
1878
1879 . ...
1880
1881
1882
jgg3 . . .
1884
Extreme range in thirty-five years
118. 55
25.25
26
5
2 6
QUICKSILVER. 499
Monthly quotations of quicksilver at San Francisco in 1883 and 1884 per flask.
Months.
1883.
1884.
Highest.
Lowest.
Highest.
Lowest.
$26. 75
27.25
28.00
27.00
27.00
28.50
28.50
27.50
26.75
26. 50
26.50
26.25
$26. 00
26.00
26.75
26.75
26.75
26.75
27.50
26. 25
26.25
26.50
26.00
26.00
$26. 25
29.00
29.00
29.00
29.00
29.00
29 00
30.00
31.00
30. 50
34.00
35.00
$26. 00
26.00
28 00
28.00
29.00
29.00
28.75
28.75
30.iO
29.00
29.00
32.00
March
April
May .
June ..
July
August .
September ... -
October
December .
Extreme ran "'e ......
28.50
$26
26.00
^83
35.00
$25
26.00
/ '
(.34
Average
Imports. The largest importation of quicksilver was in tbe fiscal year
1883, when the amount rose to 1,500,000 pounds. In that year, how-
ever, the exports were also large, reaching 2,750,000 pounds. The im-
ports during the last fiscal year fell to less than a tenth of the amount
imported in the fiscal year 1883.
Quicksilver imported and entered for consumption in the United States, 1867 to 1884 inclu-
sive.
Fiscal years ending June 30
Quantity.
Value.
Fiscal years ending June 30
Quantity.
Value.
1867
Pounds.
$15 248
1876
Pounds.
78 902
$50 164
1868
152
68
1877
38 230
19 558
1869
11
1878
294 207
135 178
1870
239 223
107 646
1879
519 1 9 5
217 770
1871
30 1' 965
137 332
1880
116 700
48 463
1872
370 303
189 94:{
1881
138 517
57 733
1873
99 898
74' 140
1882 .
597 898
233 057
3874
51 20 -)
5-? 093
183
1 552 738
593 367
1875
6 870
20 957
1884
136 615
44 035
Mercurial preparations imported and entered for consumption in the United Spates, 1867 to
1883 inclusive, (a)
Fiscal years ending June 30
Blue-mass.
Calomel.
Mercurial
preparations
uot otherwise
specified.
Total
value
Quantity. Value.
Quantity.
Value.
1867
Pounds.
1,009
919
259
125
489
455
397
485
533
395
207
188
$667
660
192
109
365
327
252
266
2C2
236
124
79
Pounds.
8,241
5, 520
6,138
2,424
5 433
4,649
4,133
5,875
4,780
8, 177
5,215
8,732
$4,242
4,440
4,516
6, 306
3. 147
6,590
5,240
6,676
2,817
5,820
4, 305
3,576
4, 6:!5
3, o30
5, H40
3,411
5,503
$629
699
4, 3:J4
52
92
90
363
6,453
30
116
58
190
$2, 242
4.440
4! 516
6,306
3,147
7,886
6,599
11,202
2,978
6,277
4, 722
4,191
11,354
3, 622
5,992
3,593
5,772
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876.
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881 . .
1882
1833
a Not specified in 1884.
500
MINERAL RESOURCES.
Exports. The maximum exportation was in the fiscal year 1877, when
it'reached nearly 4,000,000 pounds. In the fiscal year 1884 less than a
third of that amount, and less than half of the amount for 1883, was
exported. The yearly exports since 1854 are shown in the following
table :
Quicksilver of domestic production exported from the United States.
Fiscal years ending June
30
Quantity.
Value.
Fiscal years ending June
30
Quantity.
Value.
1854
Pounds.
$94 335
1870
Pounds.
1 200 385
$511 918
1855
806 119
3871
994, 005
732 845
1856
831 724
1872
86 C94
691 637
1857
665 480
1873
714, 783
626 021
1858
129 184
1874
501 389
f>80 :V1
1859
1875
986 469
(75, 706
I860
053 688
1876
2 711 584
740 29:?
1861
631 450
1877
3,894,311
, 7(57 2i;i>
1862
1 237 643
1878
2 552 388
230 COG
1863
1 237 116
1879
3 624,827
418 331
1864
1, 736, 596
976, 868
1880
3,574,412
1,300, 176
1865
1 e'^ 063
1881 . ...
2 055 948
1, 124 1)55
1866
2 948 699
1 508 039
1882
2 485 551
959 128
1867
1 73C 924
750 673
1883
2, 7ee, 554
1 020 8^7
1868
2, 995, 789
1,220 809
1884
1, 242, 080
427,219
1869 . . .
2. 152, 499
869. 803
Movement of quicksilver from San Francisco by aea and rail.
Tears.
Flasks.
Tears.
Flasks.
1850
6 467
1869
24 415
1851
10 791
1870
14, 240
1852
21 458
1871
16 330
1853
18 800
1872
16 780
1854
20 9/53
1873
11 164
1855
27* 165
1&74
11 750
1856
23 740
1875
37 8"9
1857
27 262
1876
49 046
1858
24 412
1877
5-2 CO")
1859
3* 399
1878
41 877
I860
9 488
1879
62, 85
1861 .
35 995
1880
46 294
1862
23 747
1881
4"> ~ f n
1863 .. "
26 014
1882
40 417
1864
36 9 9 7
1883
37 867
1865
4'' 469
1884
21 90 L
1866
30 287
1867
28* 8.T3
Tota
994 001
1868...
44. 506
The shipments shown in this and in the following table do not include
supplies sent to local and Xevada precious-metal mines.
Movement of quicksilver from San Francisco in 1883 and 1884 in detail.
To
1883.
1884.
Increase.
Decrease.
By sea:
China .. .
Flank*.
16 330
Flasks.
200
Flasks.
Fla*k*
16 no
Japan
1,253
588
OC5
10 764
5 404
5 360
970
'l55
81 r )
600
110
490
' 160
20
140
59
52
New Turk _
3, 100
8, 300
5 *>50
Various. ..
11
22
11
Total by sea ! 33,247
By rail :
Central Pacific, Southern Pacific, and Northern Pa-
4,
cific railroads
Grand total
37, 867
14, 901
7,000 ) 2,380
21,901
]8, 346
(i Including about 3,500 flasks to Mexipo by Southern Pacific railroad,
QUICKSILVER. 501
The following table shows the relation of the production to the out-
ward movement, the difference being the balance available for coubump-
tioii and stock on the Pacific coast :
Relation of production to shipments from San Francisco.
. . . .
Years. Production. Shipments, Ualuuce.
1P80
. Flasks.
59, 9->G
Flasks.
46, 294
J-'lai ks.
13, 632
1881
60,851 i
4.3, 799
lf>, 052
1882 .
52,732 ,
40,417 !
12,315
] 883
46,725
37, f'67
8,858
18? 4
31 913 i
21 901
10 012
* !
i
Movement of quicksilver at London. The imports during 1883 were
54,519 flasks, and the exports 48,997 flasks. lu 1884 the imports were
56,969 flasks, and the exports 52,492 flasks. The stock at London De-
cember 31, 1884, was estimated at about 74,000 flasks.
Virmilion is an artificial sulphide of quicksilver. In the United
States the manufacture centers around New York City, with two estab-
lishments in Philadelphia and one in Baltimore. The manufacturers of
quicksilver vermilion are: D. F. Tiemann & Co., Sondheim, Alsberg &
Co., and A. B. Ansbacher & Co., of New York City; C. T. Eaynolds &
Co., of New York City and Chicago; G. & N. Poppelin, jr., of Balti-
more ; J. T. Lewis & Co. and Glahn & Co., of Philadelphia. The pro-
duction in the past three years is estimated as follows :
Production of quicksilver vermilion in the United Stales, 1882, 1883, and 1884.
Tears.
Pounds.
Price per
pound.
Total
value.
1882
700 000
$0.45
$315,000
1883
650 000
45
29 9 500
1884
600 000
48
288 000
The falling off in production has been due partly to dullness of trade,
and partly to the competition of other reds. The price was for some time
stationary at 45 cents per pound, until November 22, 1884, when it was
advanced to 55 cents, on account of the rise in price of quicksilver.
The genuine quicksilver vermilion is known as u quicksilver," " Cali-
fornia," or "English" vermilion. It is claimed to be of better quality
than the imported, though the latter sells at 10 to 15 cents higher per
pound. While there is probably little intrinsic difference, the home
manufacturers are in better position to understand the taste of local
consumers. The domestic vermilion is made from California quicksilver
or from the foreign metal, indifferently, but more commonly from the
former. The process is reported by Mr. Marcus Benjamin to consist in
bringing quicksilver, sulphur, potassium hydroxide, and water together
in a revolving drum. The mixture is gently heated until 115 Fabr.
502
MINERAL RESOURCES.
is reached ; the temperature is then kept constant, and the reddening
action proceeds. The composition of the vermilion is approximately
mercury, 86.3 parts ; sulphur, 13.7 parts.
A number of pigments known as vermilion, but not made from quick-
silver, are on the market, under the names of "American vermilion," a
chromate of lead, also known, as "Persian red," "Persian scarlet,"
"chrome red," " scarlet vermilion," etc. About 1,000,000 pounds of this
material were made in 1883, and 750,000 pounds in 1884. " Imitation ver-
milion" is an aniline color thrown on a lead body (oxide or carbonate),
and is said to be fugitive. There are numberless names for it; "Colum-
bian red," "zubia," "ruboide," "Eoman red," "Swiss red," etc. These
colors have largely superseded true vermilion, as they are of a brilliant
red, stand exposure fairly well, changing to a lighter color instead of a
darker, as is the case with genuine vermilion, and are very much lower
in price. The production of aniline vermilions was about 750,000 pounds
in 1883, and 600,000 pounds in 1884. The chromate of lead vermilions
sold at about 11 J cents per pound in 1883, and following the gradual
decline in white lead (carbonate) fell to 10 cents in 1884. The various
grades of aniline vermilion brought from 10 to 35 cents per pound in
1883, and declined to 8 to 25 cents in 1884, owing to the removal of the
duty on aniline and eosine. Quicksilver vermilion is considered to be
superior in body, permanency, and richness, but the question of price
affects the sale. The scarlet chromates of lead, while possessing endur-
ing qualities, lack body and are not so rich in color. Between the two,
of late years, the eosine reds have appeared. Their color is exceedingly
brilliant, and the body good; but their comparatively fugitive character
is a drawback.
In 1883 there were 16,330 flasks of quicksilver sent from the United
States to China, all of which is supposed to have been made into ver-
milion in the latter country ; but in 1884 the Chinese market was supplied
with Spanish quicksilver sent from London, though a little American
quicksilver may have reached China indirectly and thus escaped record.
The imports of vermilion, with their declared foreign valuations, have
been as follows :
Vermilion imported and entered for consumption in the United States, 1867 to 1884 in-
clusive.
Fiscal years ending June 30
Quantity.
Value.
Fiscal years ending June 30
Quantity.
Value.
1867
Pounds.
$123 506
1876
Pounds.
18 9
$17 680
1868
90 648
1877
23 315
14 660
1869
247 382
145 665
1878
9 843
5 772
1870
104 523
57 262
1879
11 382
6 105
1871
79 195
43 935
1880
11 952
5 997
1872
120 067
49 237
1881
14 243
7*392
1873
87 008
65 796
1882
12 496
6 215
1874
42 324
39 443
1883
19 549
8 796
1875
9 460
10 831
1884
(a)
10 473
a Not specified.
QUICKSILVER. 503
New uses for quicksilver. Mr. J. A. Bauer has called attention to the
use of quicksilver as a preventive and cure for phylloxera. Corrosive
sublimate was first tried by Mr. Bauer, but was not found to answer,
as the mercuric chloride was speedily decomposed by the earths of
the soils to which it was applied. The quicksilver is used in mixture
with fine powdered clay, equal weights of each, and is so finely divided
that separate globules of the metal cannot be distinguished under an
ordinary microscope. This mixture of quicksilver and clay is added
to the soil of the hole in which the vine is planted. Half an ounce of
quicksilver to each vine is said to be about the proper quantity. The
clay used must be free from grittiness ; the mixture with the quicksilver
is done in revolving barrels. A number of experiments, said to have re-
sulted satisfactorily, have been made. Another use has been suggested,
namely, the use of a weak solution of corrosive sublimate (bichloride of
mercury) as a disinfectant and germicide in case of epidemic cholera.
These applications, if adopted on a large scale, would do much to relieve
the quicksilver market.