The processes that are used in the making of chemicals are almost as varied as its products, and yet there are certain mechanical steps that are utilized by all of them. Such, for example, are the grinding, furnacing, dissolving, separat ing, evaporating, filtration and crystallization processes. In each of these the laws governin chemical constitution are closely followed, while, from time to time, processes are improve by inventions, as the competition of the age increases the demand for quicker, surer and more economical methods. Some of the present-day chemical operations are still the result of a long and complicated treatment. There are instances in which crystallization and decomposition take place very slowly, for both are hastened or retarded by many physical con• ditions; both heat and cold, like extreme agita tion and absolute quietude, are often required by the chemist. Moreover, when we remember that some of these long and complicated proc esses include, perhaps, a continued series of dissolvings alternating with as many crystalliza tions, it is not difficult to imagine why it should be necessary for manufacturers to have such an abnormally large capital before they can estab, lish themselves successfully in the industry of producing chemicals.
Moreover, it is not money alone that is needed for one to be able to successfully con duct a manufacturing chemical establishment, A quarter of a century ago money and a little knowledge was all that was required of thy ordinary manufacturer. To-day, however, all this has changed. During the past 30 years scientific Germany has devoted much time and attention to chemical researches, and with such results that the rest of the world's manufac turers have had all they could do to keep abreast of the times. To-day it is the chemical lab oratory that is the pulse of the entire factory. It must be well equipped with the most modern apparatus, operated by workers of rare skill, for each step in the process is watched and regulated by a continuous series of tests by the laboratory force.
Chemical engineering is another branch of the to which much attention has been devoted during the past 30 years, and its im portance as a factor in the adjustment of plants to the exigencies of the many difficult and conk plicated operations to which the works must be adapted has led to the establishment of courses in chemical engineering by several of the lead ing institutions of technical education.
The effect of the European War upon the chemical industry of the United States has been remarkable. Previous to the outbreak of that great conflict, the world trade in many chem icals was supplied principally by Germany, Austria and England. But since the war closed the ports of Germany and Austria, and the English plants turned to the manufacture of munitions, the chemical trade of the United States has faced an unprecedented demand not only in its own country, but from abroad.
While figures for the home trade are not avail able, the records of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce as to the exports from year to year show the response of the chemical manufacturers to the foreign demand. The open figures following are those of the exports of leading chemicals for the year ended 30 June 1916: the figures in parentheses are for the fiscal year ended 30 June 1914—the year im mediately preceding the war.
Acids: sulphuric, 82,020,246 pounds, valued at $1,990,532 (in 1914, 12,131,750 pounds, valued at $125,892). Other acids, a value of $22, 717,335 (in 1914, $357,035).
Copper sulphate, 17,978,242 pounds, valued at $2,469,437 (in 1914, 7,375,775 pounds, valued at P30,007).
Dyes and Dyestuffs, a value of $5,102,002 (in 1914, $356,919).
Extracts for tanning, a value of $5,902,709 (in 1914, $639,941).
Sodium compounds, a value of $12,649,854 (in 1914, none at all).
All other chemicals exported, $62,765,752 (in 1914, $16,201,563). The total value of chem icals exported was $113,597,711 (in 1914, $18, 011,358).
Among the *Allied Industries,* the only notable increase in exports was in explosives, which reached a value of $467,082,000 (in 1914, $6,272,000).
As to the geographical distribution of the increased export trade in chemicals, it is inter esting to note that France and Great Britain took nearly all of the sulphuric acid, and a large part of °all other acids"; Greece, Canada, Mexico and Japan being the other principal buyers. The increased exports of copper sul phate were taken by Greece, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Dutch Guiana and Uruguay. The dyestuffs(chiefly natural dyes) went to Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and Canada. The sodium compounds were bought by France, Great Britain, Holland, Norway, Canada, Mexico, Cuba and Latin America, with smaller quantities to Japan and Russia. The tanning extracts went to nearly every part of the world, many countries being purchasers for the first time.
It is worthy of note that in 1906 (the latest complete figures available) the total trade of the world in chemicals, drugs dyes and fertili zers, amounted to $592,467,600, and that the contribution of the United States to this market was but $41,000,000, or about 7 per cent. Germany's export chemical trade at that time was $111,000,000, or 17 per cent, and that of the United Kingdom, $63,019,000, or 11 per cent of the whole. While the figures for these latter countries have not changed considerably, thi advance of the chemical exports of the United States to $113,600,000 establishes a new world's record for the United States.