THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 117 



a coal oil hydrometer. It is graduated from lo degrees at bottom of 

 the stem to loo degrees at the upper part. The lighter the liquid the 

 deeper the coal oil hydrometer will sink into it. 



The instrument is adjusted for liquids at a temperature of 60 

 degrees F. To correct differences arising from a change of temper- 

 ature I degree Baume is added for every 10 degrees of temperature 

 below 60 degrees F. For fluids at a temperature above 60 degrees 

 F. I degree Baume must be subtracted. 



As I use considerable quantities of benzin, naphtha and gasoline in 

 one branch of my business I have devised a simple method of disting- 

 uishing these three hydrocarbons — namely, by taking the Baume 

 degree standard. The following figures represent approximately stan- 

 dard readings : 



60 to 69 degrees B. = benzin, usually 62 degrees. 

 70 to 79 degrees B. = naphtha, usually 76 degrees. 

 80 to 89 degrees B. = gasoline, usually 86 degrees. 



I hope that these figures will be of service to the profession, es- 

 peciallv since most of the reference books reveal confusion as to the 

 difference between benzin. naphtha and gasoline. 



GINSENG AT HONGKONG. 



THE PRICES RECEIVED FOR AMERICAN ROOTS. 



Consul-General Amos P. Wilder, of Hongkong, in response to numer- 

 ous American inquiries as to the trade in ginseng, with especial refer- 

 ence to the cultivated root, prices and importations, reports as follows : 



The ginseng business is largely in the hands of the Chinese, the 

 firms at Hongkong and Canton having American connections. [The 

 five leading Hongkong Chinese firms in the ginseng importing business 

 are named by Mr. Wilder, as also the leading "European" importing 

 concern, and all the addresses are obtainable from the Bureau of Manu- 

 factures.] I am authorized to say that American growers may corres- 

 pond with the European concern direct relative to large direct ship- 

 ments. Thev receive goods only on consignment and have some forty 

 years standing in this industry. This firm, as do the Chinese, buy in 

 bulk and distribute through jobbers to the medicine shops, which 

 abound in all Chinese communities. The Cantonese have prestige in 

 cleaning and prei:»aring the root for market. 



