May 1, 1912.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



399 



one above the other through which steam or hot water is circu- 

 lated to produce the required degree of heat. The material to be 

 dried is placed on these shelves in trays made of suitable shape 

 and material. This dryer is designed to remove moisture rap- 

 idly and at a low temperature from materials that are in any 

 way sensitive to heat. 



The Kelly-Springfield Tire Co., Akron, Ohio, has sent out a 

 little 10-page folder entitled "Solomon's Shrewdness." which, in 

 brief text and with a series of diverting illustrations, tells how 

 the wise Solomon distinguished between a natural rose and an 

 artificial one, using this anecdote as a text for a little advise on 

 the best way to select a serviceable tire. 



The Boss Rubber Co.. a wholesale tire concern, of Denver, 

 Colorado, has issued a catalogue of 32 pages entitled. "Ha^e 

 Your Motoring Appendix Removed," which is designed to show 

 that the way to remove all tire trouble is to get one of the tires 

 handled by this enterprising house. There is much other infor- 

 mation in the little book. 



A booklet entitled "Minor Repairs and the Care of Tires'' just 

 issued by The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, tells 

 thfi most effect' .'e way for a motorist to make repairs on his tires 

 and inner tubes, and contains also a list of suggestions on the 

 care and preservation of tires in order to get the utmost service 

 from them. This booklet will be sent free upon request. 



The General Bakelite Co., 100 William street, Xew York, has 

 recently issued a booklet of 44 pages, entitled "Bakelite, Infor- 

 mation No. 2." As its name implies, its mission is to give in- 

 formation regarding Bakelite. This is not merely a mixture or 

 a so-called compound like many rubber or resinous composi- 

 tions, but is a well-defined chemical substance of specific prop- 

 erties. In the formation of Bakelite two strong smelling liquid 

 substances, carbolic acid and formaldehyde, are used, but they 

 react chemically upon each other and solidify into a transparent, 

 amber-like substance which is entirely devoid of odor and taste. 

 The book describes in considerable detail the properties and uses 

 of Bakelite in its various forms. 



INDIA-RUBBER GOODS IN COMMERCE. 



EXPORTS FROM THE UNITED STATES. 



/~\FFICIAL Statement of values of exports of manufactures 

 ^^ of india-rubber and gutta percha for the month of Feb- 

 ruary, 1912, and for the first eight months of five fiscal years, 

 beginning July 1 : 



Belting, Boots .\11 



Months. Packing and Other Tot.\l. 



and Hose. Shoes. Rubber. 



February, 1912 $193,699 $62,689 $652,434 $908,822 



July- January 1,297,422 1,076.492 3.987.743 6,361,657 



Total, 1911-12 $1,491,121 $1,139,181 $4,640,177 $7,270,479 



Total, 1910-11 1,354,060 1,699,371 3,899,406 6,952,837 



Total, 1909-10 1,233,910 1,437,252 3,053,753 5,724,915 



Total, 1908-09 896,362 1,013,544 2.454,707 4,364,613 



Total, 1907-08 924,585 1,305,352 2,485,307 4,715,2+4 



The above heading "All Other Rubber," for the month of 

 February, 1912, and for the first eight months of two fiscal years, 

 beginning July 1, includes the following details relating to tires: 



For All 



Months. Automobiles. Other. Tot.^l. 



February, 1912...;. $267,036 $57,912 $324,948 



July-January ...■.:.,..... 1,374.337 291.460 1,665,797 



Total, 1911-12 $1,641,373 ' $349,372 $1,990,745 



Total, 1910-1 1 1 .194.720 368,029 1,562,749 



RUBBER GOWTJS TOR SYMMETRICAL iADIES. 



A recent issue of a New York evening paper contained a two- 

 column story, generously illustrated, highly entertaining and un- 

 doubtedly veracious in some of its details, regarding a social 

 leader from Chicago who was clad in a rubber gown of wonder- 

 ful hues, but chiefly noticeable because it followed her every 

 movement so religiously. 



A lady reporter followed the society leader to her stopping 

 place and further investigated this remarkable garment, describ- 

 ing it with more than the usual lady-reportorial genius. 



"It seemed to me there had been no room left, even for im- 

 provement. Shimmering bands of pale yellow elastic formed 

 the bodice of Mrs. Von Nisson's gown. They caught the light 

 in different places as she breathed. They made faint, protesting 

 sounds as she moved, like the strings of a violin drawn tight. 

 At her ankles her train widened into a glistening circle about 

 her feet." 



Just how much fine upriver Para theje was in this lady's gar- 

 ment cannot be definitely stated, but viewed as a broad sar- 

 torial proposition, why should not the ladies wear rubber gowns?' 

 They certainly would be vastly more comfortable than the hob 

 ble creations in which so many of them have lately appeared. 

 A rubber gown with a reasonable amount of elasticity would 

 certainly render it much more possible for women to navigate 

 the sidewalks and to mount the steps of a street car, than the 

 gowns so many of them now affect, which render walking diffi- 

 cult and awkward and mounting steps impossible. Then again, 

 it would render the w-earer immune to passing showers, and 

 if to it were added a rubber hat with rubber ribbons and rubber 

 Illumes, even the equinoctial storms would become unconsidered 

 trifles. I 



SOME SPRING ADVICE FOR TIRE USERS 



It is announced that the membership of the Service Bureau 

 of the United States Tire Co., has reached the 18,000 mark. 

 The latest bulletin sent to these members in the line of spring 

 suggestions contains among other items of tire advice, the fol- 

 lowing timely recommendations : 



Before finishing the tuning up of a car for the coming season 

 take the casings off and e.xamine the rims. If they are rusty 

 scrape and paint them. Don't put the casings back until the rims 

 are absolutely true and free from dents. Sprinkle soapstone into 

 the casings before replacing the tubes. 



If the rear tires are W'orn get a new pair for the rear, and 

 move the old casings to the front wheels where the service is 

 easier. 



Test the alignment of the axles. The easiest way is to meas- 

 ure between the felloes of the wheels or the edges of the rims 

 at the point directly in front of the axle. If this measurement 

 differs from the same measurement taken on the opposite side 

 of the wheels, it shows the axles are out of alignment. This 

 defect should be corrected immediately. 



Get a good pressure gauge and use it regularly throughout the 

 season. 



If new accessories are added this spring, be sure they do not 

 bring the weight of the car above the weight the tires are de- 

 signed to carry. If in doubt about this matter be on the safe 

 side and get larger size tires. 



THE SOUTHLAND COMPANY'S MEXICAN PLANTATION. 



The secretary of the Southland Rubber Co., of Spokane, 

 Washington, recently received word regarding the operations on 

 the company's plantation in the Palenque district, state of 

 Chiapas, Mexico, to the effect that 100 of the 1,000 acres owned 

 by the company at that place had been cleared up since the first 

 of February last. It is the expectation of the company to clear 

 the entire tract and plant it to rubber. 



