sulphur also independent of the blast furnace process to such an
extent that the proportion of sulphur in the finished steel is so low
that the quality of the steel is in no way influenced by it. The
question of desulphurization has, especially of late years, become of
the utmost importance, at any rate for the iron industry of the
Continent. By the great strike of 1889, the German colliers have
succeeded in greatly improving their wages; and with this increase in
wages not only is there a distinct diminution in the amount of coal
wrought, but, unfortunately, the coal produced since then is raised in
a much less pure condition than was formerly the case. Consequently
the proportion of sulphur in the coke has considerably increased.
Whereas formerly this proportion did not exceed one per cent., it has
now in many cases risen to 18 per cent.; so that an unpleasant ratio
exists between the wages of the workmen and the amount of sulphur in
the coal raised. It is therefore not remarkable that, even when ores
fairly free from sulphur are treated, it easily happens that a
sulphureted pig iron is obtained.

In order to effect satisfactory desulphurization, attention has been
bestowed on the fact that iron sulphide is converted by manganese into
manganese sulphide and iron. If sulphureted pig iron, poor in
manganese, is added in a fluid condition to manganiferous molten pig
iron, poor in sulphur, the metal is desulphurized, and a manganese
sulphide slag is formed. It may be urged that it does not seem
necessary to effect the desulphurization by means of the reaction of
the manganese and iron sulphide outside of the blast furnace, as it is
possible, by suitably directing the blast furnace, by the employment
of manganiferous ores or highly basic slag, so to desulphurize the
iron in the blast furnace itself that it would be unnecessary further
to lower the percentage of sulphur. Every blast furnace manager,