244 Mr. Glassford's History and Description of the Kelp Manufacture. 



attempts whatever at improving the usual process. I have here 

 appended a list of the variations in price of iodine during the period 

 of its rise and fall. Comments on it would be almost superfluous ; — it 

 will remain an interesting document, illustrative of the fluctuation in 

 value of this commodity, dependent upon the combined influence of 

 demand and speculation. 



COMMERCIAL PRICES OF IODINE, 



From January, 1843, till March, 1848, showing the comparative values, compiled from 

 a list of actual purchases made by an extensive Commission louse in Glasgow, and 

 other sources. The Prices quoted are those given to the makers of Iodine, the 

 London Price may be assumed at from Is. to 2s. per lb. higher. 



In January, 1843, the price of iodine was 4s. 8d., and was with diffi- 

 culty disposed of at that price, the seller being obliged to take 6 months' 

 bills. In June, or thereby, of the same year, it rose, however, to 6s., at 

 which price it continued till, at the close of 1844, it had reached the price 

 of 12s. per lb. cash ; from which it will be seen that an improvement had 

 taken place, and that the value of iodine was slowly but steadily 

 augmenting. 



1845. Per Lb. 



January, @ 12s. Od. 



And little doing. 

 April to Dec, @ 85s. to 40s. 



And at 42s. in London. 

 1846. 

 January, @ 34s. 8d. to 30s. 



And now begins to decline till 



May, @ 23s. Od. 



June to July, n 22s. Od. 



August, " 21s. Od. 



September 5th and 12th ■ 21s. Od. 

 . 14th, . 20s. Od. 



■ 18th, i 16s. Od. 



This was a large purchase rather 



under the market price, and sales 

 were difficult to effect. 



October and November, @ 16s. Od. 

 December 5th and 6th, n 16s. Od. 



■ 31st, i 20s. Od. 



A temporary rise. 



1847. Per Lb. 



January, i 16s. Od. 



Small parcels bought at this. 



May, i 16s. Od. 



Large purchases made at this price. 



June and July, ■ 9s. Od. 



Small parcels. 



August, n 10s. 6d. 



Small parcels. 

 Sep., Oct , Nov., & Dec, ■ 6s. Od. 

 Average price for the 4 months. This 

 was for small parcels, and bought 

 under the market price, owing to 

 the depressed state of trade at this 

 time. 

 1848. 



January, @ 8s. to 9s. 



February, @ 10s. to lis. 



March 1st,.. @ lis. 8d. 



■ 7th, i 10s. Od. 



The tendency at present is rather 

 upwards, and will probably im- 

 prove. 



I think it not uninteresting to append also a Table of the quantity of 

 kelp which entered the port of Glasgow for the following years, as 

 recorded at the Glasgow Tonnage Office : — 



