Mn. Glassfo » and Bmription <>f the Kelp Manuf actus. 246 



TABLE OF KELP IMPOBTfl at BKooMIELAW, 



as per the C'lasimi- I'mtnage Office. 



Fn.m July, 1841, to July, 1842, 2565 tons. 



1842, i 1843 1887 i 



1843, i 1844 1965 i 



1844, i 1845, 3263 ■ 



1845, i 1846, 6086 . 



1846, i 1847 3627 ■ 



In addition to the above, there were about 300 tons landed at Dum- 

 barton, from 1845 to 1846, and about 600 tons at Greenock, making 

 altogether, about 7000 tons which entered the Clyde. During the same 

 year, (and over a period of nine months,) a manufacturer consumed about 

 700 tons, on the Irish shores ; and it is asserted, that 3000 tons were 

 consumed at Borrowstowness, on the Forth, during the same year ; from 

 which it would appear, that considerably upwards of 10,000 tons of kelp 

 were manufactured on our British shores, during that year. 



It cannot fail to be observed that the large quantity of kelp brought 

 iuto Glasgow during the latter end of 1845, and beginning of 1846, was 

 somewhat connected with the elevation in price of iodine. This was the 

 case. Numerous chemical manufacturers turned their attention to the 

 business; persons were despatched to the shores of Ireland and our Scottish 

 isles, to increase the quantity of kelp made, to buy it up at low prices ; 

 and for a time much excitement prevailed. The Irish kelp rose in some 

 instances to £10, although the average about this time might be £8 10s. 

 The kelp from our Highland shores rose from £2 or £2 5s. to £4, and 

 in a few instances to £5 5s , and the make on our own shores was con- 

 siderably increased in consequence. 



Within the last six or eight months, the muriate and sulphate of potash 

 from the kelp, which previously had been almost entirely consumed in the 

 manufacture of alum, having been applied to new purposes, namely, to 

 the manufacture of saltpetre (nitrate of potash) and pearlasb, (carbonate 

 of potash,) has increased the demand ami consequently the value of the 

 former potash salts. This has resulted from the late high price to which 

 saltpetre and potashes, as derived from the usual sources, have risen, and 

 will most probably cease on a larger introduction of the foreign articles. 

 This has to some extent influenced the alight elevation iu the price of 

 kelp which has taken place within the last half year, and which will con- 

 tinue until the decline in value of the muriate and sulphate of potash. 

 It if however to the value of iodine chiefly that we must now look for any 

 modifications which take place in the value of kelp, and at present it is 

 impossible to predict which direction may be taken. 



Thcso fluctuations in the value of kelp have been productive of many 

 changes in the fortunes of our Highland shore proprietors, whose proper- 



