THE IRON INDUSTRY. 



14:3 



brated manafactory at Batoum should be mentioned, which uses one million pouds ot 

 foreign tin, imported duty free, for the manufacture of tin cases for the export of 

 kerosene. 



Finally, the production of iron barrels for the export of alcohol, and the manu- 

 facture of pipes, stoves and other house-heating appliances should be added to the 

 list of products of this section. The goods of the first category are generally made 

 at manufactories; those of the second, in trade establishments, at which hand machines 

 are also frequenly used, especially for the manufacture of elbow pipe. Owing to the 

 great variety of the articles produced of sheet iron and tin and the scattered state 

 of the factories, the exact value of the industry cannot easily be given; it may be 

 estimated, however, in round numbers at eight million roubles, excluding the pro- 

 duction of the Batoum works. 



Lastly, another industry, where the forging process is used, should be men- 

 tioned, namely, the manufacture of iron fences and gates, which are often of a ver^' 

 elegant form and decorated with cast iron designs, representing branches, leaves and 

 flowers. The chandeliers and wall brackets, growing more and more into use in rich 

 houses for halls and staircases, come under this category. Many of these articles as 

 to design and finish can be rightly placed among the works of the fine arts. Manu- 

 factories producing this kind of wares were established in St. Petersburg, Moscow and 

 Odessa, some 15 to 20 years ago, and notwithstanding this short period of time, have 

 attained a great degree of perfection chiefly due to the schools of practical drawing. 



The import of the wares of the blacksmith, including steel, according to the 

 data given by the customhouses, and of wares of sheet iron, black as well as tinned 

 and enamelled, and the exports thereof, are shown in the following table for the 

 years 1886 to 1892. 



The amount of the export of these wares is included according to customhouse 

 data in the general total of iron goods. In 1891 and 1892 according to the same 

 statistics the import of steam boilers and iron pipes, which has been rather marked, 

 is included. 



