Show SPECIAL DEMAND FOR quicksilver the quicksilver industry has been active during the first six months of 1915 according to 11 1 1 D mccaskey of the united states geological survey up to the beginning of tile the european war the price per flask of sev enty five pounds in san francisco had not reached a monthly average of 40 since january but in august embargoes closed the important foreign sources of supply except the italian and the average was quoted as SO 80 and much higher prices were quoted for individual sales in september the price dropped slightly and in the last quarter shipments came in from italy to take advantage of the domestic market and the prices ranged from 53 to 55 demand increased and supplies were not immediately available so that in february the monthly average price reached 60 in march 78 falling to in april and 75 in may italian supplies could no longer be expected to compete when that country entered the war and in june tile the prices rose from 80 to 90 some quicksilver may still be expected expect ea from small surplus supplies in mexico or other neutral countries perhaps but otherwise the domestic mines are without serious competition and are in a position to profit while the war lasts the normal annual domestic consumption has been around flasks flacks and the domestic output has been below this tile the past two years demand is now abnormal for the manufacture of explosives principally and high prices will likely rule as surplus stocks are absorbed and the few important producers in california nevada and texas will find some difficulty in meeting the demand |