THE NAPHTHA INDUSTRY. 



26- 



to increase cousiderably, tlie export of uaphtlia products began to rise and the 

 prices to tall rapidly, owing to home competition. This combination of circumstances, 

 and especially the fact that, during- 1S77 to 1886, the price of kerosene declined 

 by at least 60 to 80 kopecks per poud, the price being only 20 to 30 kopecks pei- 

 poud, induced the Government, in view of the urgent requirements of the treasury, 

 to again turn to an excise upon kerosene, which was introduced in 1888 to tht- 

 amount of 40 kopecks paper per poud on ordinary kerosene, and .30 kopecks per 

 pond on the heavy qualities of high flash point. Benzine, lubricating oils, raw 

 naphtha, and naphtha refuse, were free from duties, as also were all naphtha product s^ 

 sent abroad. At the close of 1892 these dues were raised to 50 and 60 kopecks per 

 poud, and the differences between the dues paid upon the heavy and ordinary kerosene 

 were somew'hat modified, although the main principles were preserved. 



In 1888 . . 6.6 million roubles paper 

 :> 1889 . . 9.3 » » » 



In 1890 . . 18.2 million roubles paper 

 y> 1891 . . 10.2 » -> > 



These figures show* that the imposition of an excise has, in raising the price^ 

 retarded the previous growth of the consumption. This is seen in the BB in the 

 accompanying diagram, which gives the production of raw naphtha along AA, 

 and the amount of naphtha products produced along CC, and hence AC gives the 

 amount of refuse, and CB the export of naphtha products. 



Diagram depicting the development of the Eussian naphtha industry, from 1870 

 to 1891 ; to the left in million pouds, to the right in million barrels of 40 gallons 

 capacity; AA production of raw naphtha, BB home consumption of kerosene and other- 

 lighting oils, CC amount of naphtha products. 



In summing up the position of the Eussian naphtha industry at the beginning- 

 of 1892 the result would be, in rough figures, the following: 



Number of wells under exploitation 500 



» :> works distilling naphtha 167 



» » » » » at Baku 135 



» 2 2. > » in other parts of Eussia 32 



Annual production of naphtha 290,000,000 pouds. 



