铁和钢管。

铁和钢管。

The following report on the increasing use of iron and steel pipe in Japan, and the opportunity for enlarging the sale of American pipe therein, is furnished by Consul-General Henry B. Miller, of Yokohama: "The imports of iron and steel pipe into Japan in 1907 amounted to $1,728,849—an increase of $650,000 on the imports of 1906. This has been imported nearly altogether from the United States and the United Kingdom. The following statement shows the imports of iron and steel pipes and tubes into Japan from the United States and the United Kingdom during the last three years:

The use of this pipe is primarily for water and power systems. The improvement of all of the cities in sanitation, and especially in providing for waterpower, has demanded a large amount of iron for water pipes. The continued development of the use of waterpower for light and power systems has also made an important increase in the demand tor water pipes. While there is at the present time something of a depression in the general trade of Japan, and considerable economy in public expenditures is likely to result, there is no doubt but that there will be a continued demand for water pipes and an early revival of imports at the first evidence of improved conditions of trade and business. The following statement of tne use of iron pipes in the city of Tokyo furnishes a practical idea of the expanding demands for the use of iron and steel pipe, and American producers of this type ought to be able to secure a larger proportion of this trade. The question of the Tokyo waterworks is attracting considerable attention. The length of iron piping already laid is 478 miles; but extensions to the amount of 630 miles are needed—thus bringing the total length up to 1,108 miles. 1’he houses actually receiving water now number 212,340 and their inmates aggregate 1,103,147. The volume of water actually filtered for use at present represents a supply for over 1,500,000 persons; but, in order to reach that number and provide for the constant increase of population which is yearly taking place, the above extensive additions of piping are required. The city of Yokohama is supplied by water brought down by a pipe-line 30 miles from the mountains. The Yokohama city assembly is about to investigate the project of Mr. Hara, the chief engineer of the Yokohama waterworks, with regard to improvement in the water supply. The estimated expenditure is $3,500,000, one-third of which is expected to be provided by the Central government. The improvement will be completed within five years; and for ten years thereafter the cost of water will be raised 20 per cent.