37 



142%, of silver with 65.2%, of copper with 10%, of lead with 33%, of irou 

 with 15.4%, of coal witli 10%. The production of copper has not much increased, 

 because as yet no large copper mine has been organized on modern system. 



PEODUCTION OP IEON. 



The production of iron is as yet very insignificant, and does not much exceed 

 that of copper ; the total annual production of iron, stated for convenience' sake 

 in tons, does not amount to more than 4,800 tons, a quantum, which one large 

 blast-furnace can turn out in about 60 days. The reason of this is, that with 

 the hitherto used ancient proceedings a large production is both technically aud 

 economically impossible ; that the apparatus requisite for the further working 

 of iron were hitherto wanting (it was therefore thought preferable to import 

 manufactured iron), and finally that for many purposes the native, very soft, 

 wrought iron is as useless as the brittle, hard cast iron. Even when the new 

 iron-works are set going, and the apprehensions, that have been entertained 

 with regard to the extent of the deposits of magnetic iron-ore at Kamaishi, 

 should, prove groundless, it still remaius a question, whether the national iron- 

 industry, in the face of the fact that coal and iron do not occur in each other's 

 vicinity, that charcoal costs dear, that the means of communication are difficult 

 and undeveloped, and being moreover hampered by a circumstantial adminis- 

 tration, is able successfully to oppose foreign CDmpetition. 



On the other hand, the question is worthy of consideration, in what propor- 

 tion the supply of pig-iron from the three nearly finished charcoal-blast-furnaces, 

 besides the two more, that are under contemplation, stands to the country's 

 demand for pig-iron. 



Table IV represents as nearly as possible the amounts of iron and steel 

 imported 1868 — 1878 inclusive. 



In that table the total amount of imported machinery must appear rather low, 

 if we consider the quantity of plant aud stock, required for railways, mints, arsenals, 

 printing-, realing-establlshments, mines &c. ; but I have not thought myself 

 justified in making arbitrary alterations in the obove figures, which are taken 

 from the custom-house-reports. Iron, imported in the shape of ships, is not in- 

 cluded in the table. 



