-----------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---

These figures show that our alkali trade has been on the whole
remarkably steady, except for the slight ups and downs in successive
years to which all trades are liable.

To show these ups and downs more graphically, I have drawn the following
diagram, covering the last ten years' exports:--

DIAGRAM OF THE QUANTITIES OF BRITISH ALKALI EXPORTED.

[Illustration]

If the reader will examine this diagram and the more complete figures
given above he will be able to see how completely misleading are Mr.
Williams's sensational statements about the British alkali trade. I do
not for a moment deny that the German alkali trade has made remarkable
progress; I only assert that there is no evidence that "our trade has
gone to the devil."

CHEMICAL MANURES.

We turn next to chemical manures. On this subject Mr. Williams
remarks:--

"Every farmer will testify to the exceeding value of these
stuffs. 'Tis a modern means of fertilising the soil, and there
can be no doubt that it has a very great future. Obviously then
it is in the highest degree important that England should keep a
firm hold of the trade. What, alas! is equally obvious is that
England's grip on it is relaxing, but that Germany is tightening
hers."

It may be true--probably is true--that the industry of Germany is
expanding in this as in almost every other branch of the chemical
trades. It is also true that the value of chemical manures sent by
Germany to this country--still only a quarter of what we send to
Germany--is increasing. What is not true is the statement that England's
grip on the trade is "obviously relaxing." The figures are given below.
They do not look much like a relaxed grip.

EXPORTS OF CHEMICAL MANURES FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.

In Millions Sterling.

----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----
1881|1882|1883|1884|1885|1886|1887|1888|1889|1890|1891|1892|1893|1894|1895
----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----
1.8| 2.0| 2.2| 2.1| 1.7| 1.6| 1.6| 1.8| 2.1| 2.1| 2.1| 2.1| 2.3| 2.3| 1.9
----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----

The figures for the past ten years are illustrated in the following
diagram:--

[Illustration]

SOME SUPPOSITIONS ABOUT SALT.

Salt is the next subject to which Mr. Williams turns. What he has to say
about it is