higher than the 1913 exports ($11,371), does not represent a marked increase in the volume of material exported. Allowance must be made for the increased prices of paint materials in recent years as compared with 1913 prices. American exports consist chiefly of ready-mixed paints and varnishes.

EXPORTS OF PAINTS, PIGMENTS, AND VARNISHES FROM THE UNITED STATES TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

In contrast to the increased paint trade in other sections of the West Indies since 1913 the Trinidad customs returns indicate a decline in paint importations from 842,000 pound in 1913 to 825,000 pounds in 1923, with a decline in the receipts from the United States and increased participation by British and Canadian exporters.

The tariff handicap in favor of British and Canadian materials is not an important item on prepared oil paints, and American manufacturers should endeavor to retain their present share of the market's requirements. The sales of American varnishes have not suf fered, although the tariff handicap is a more important item on varnish than on oil paints.

BERMUDA ISLANDS

The Bermuda Islands lie off the coast of the United States, about 518 miles east of Cape Hatteras and 668 miles from New York. The group is not properly a part of the West Indies. The islands number about 360, of which 18 or 20 are inhabited, while only 5 are of any importance. These are Bermuda (chief island), Somerset, Ireland, St. George, and St. David. The total area is about 19 square miles and the population approximately 21,000, of which it is estimated that 90 per cent is of the working and laboring classes.

The growing of vegetables and operation of the hotels are the only industries. The language of the inhabitants is English and their tastes are either English or American. Hamilton is the capital and principal town of Bermuda and has a population of about 7,000.

MARKET FOR PAINTS, PIGMENTS, AND VARNISHES

Paints and varnishes are not manufactured in Bermuda; in fact, there are no factories of any kind on the islands. The import statisties available do not segregate the amount of paint, varnish, and oil imported but include all in one classification. The following table shows the value of the imports of this classification for the years specified:

IMPORTS OF PAINT AND OIL INTO BERMUDA ISLANDS, 1913, 1920, AND 1922

The greater portion of the oil paint used in Bermuda is for interior work. Almost every building is constructed of native coral block, which makes an efficient building material when protected from the weather by plaster or distemper. Wood is only used in the construction of outhouses, servants' quarters, and similar subsidiary buildings; for partitions, doors, shutters, interior trim, and to a comparatively limited extent for outer sheathing.

There is no surface water in Bermuda. Hillsides of an acre or more in extent are stripped to the coral rock and washed clean with distemper in order to serve as "catches" for rain water. For these catches a lime wash, which is burned and prepared locally, is often used. However, considerable amounts of imported gypsum and cold-water paints are used on the smaller catches, particularly upon the house roofs, which are made of coral block and constructed to drain the rain water into underground tanks. For this latter purpose calcimine is much used. For the walls of houses built of cora! rock, a putty coat dressing is placed upon the rock, after which the wall is sealed with cement. For waterproofing purposes a British compound is mixed in the cement to prevent any possible porosity. A tinted lime wash is applied over this cement. No wall paper is sold in Bermuda because of the great humidity which prohibits its

Almost every house in Bermuda is remarkable for its meticulously clean appearance. The local authorities encourage and enforce this cleanliness, and considering the small population, a considerable demand exists for water paints.

There are one or two shops or repair yards with facilities for painting small boats, and most of the paint sold for outside work is used for this purpose, including a small amount of copper paints.

Practically all of the oil paint used is imported in a ready-mixed

state.

OTHER MARKET FACTORS

Quality. The demand is for the better grades, and quality rather than price always prevails. The dampness and general humidity throughout most of the year makes it necessary to secure high-grade materials for both interior and exterior use.

Packing.-The small-sized container for both paints and varnishes is convenient for individual sales and is a good sales factor in Bermudian trade. Tins range in size from 2 to 56 pounds, as follows: 12, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56 pounds, the most popular being from 1 to 7 pounds.

Methods of distribution.-Practically all of the merchants in Bermuda are retailers, except one or two who do a little wholesale trade with the islands of St. George, Somerset, etc. These retailers do their own importing, and, on account of the accessibility of the New York market, it is not necessary to carry large stocks. Paints are sold through hardware stores and dealers in builders' supplies. Terms.-The credit terms extended to the Bermuda retailer are similar to those granted to American retail merchants, such as 30, 60, 90, or 120 days net, with a cash discount for prompt payment.

Advertising. The limited market would probably not justify an extensive advertising campaign, but several manufacturers have built up a fair amount of trade through advertising. The advertiser in Bermuda has the choice of only two papers with a small circulation. Billboard advertising is not permitted.

Tariff-Paints, pigments, and varnishes are subject to an import duty of 10 per cent ad valorem, with a surtax of 10 per cent, which is the equivalent of a flat rate of 11 per cent ad valorem.

Trade-mark registration.-Application for the registration of trade-marks should be made through the office of the Registrar General, Hamilton.

UNITED STATES PARTICIPATION

Exports of paint, pigments, and varnish from the United States to Bermuda increased from $4,671 in 1913 to $15,876 in 1923. Although the paint trade of the island group is not large in the aggregate, nevertheless it represents a high paint-purchasing power per capita in comparison with the trade of some of the West Indies proper. For example, the value of American exports to Haiti, a country of almost one hundred times the population of the Bermudas, was less than three times as great.

The following table shows the American exports of paint to Bermuda during 1913 and recent years. Most of the trade is in paints prepared for immediate use or materials that require merely simple mixing.

EXPORTS OF PAINTS, PIGMENTS, AND VARNISHES FROM THE UNITED STATES TO

The convenience of the New York market, with regular and frequent sailings, is a factor that favors the purchase of American goods.

The postwar trade has increased considerably, but the United States maintains its position as a supplier of about one-half of the total demand and the principal source for varnish. The remainder of the trade is divided between England and Canada. England ranks second as a supplier, but Canadian competition in recent years has lowered the British share of the trade and increased Canada's participation from 9 per cent in 1913 to 16 per cent in 1922. Two British manufacturers are represented, and a line of Canadian mixed paint is carried by several merchants.

BARBADOS

The island of Barbados is a British possession lying to the east of the Windward Islands, about 97 miles east of St. Vincent. The area is approximately 166 square miles; the population about 156,000, chiefly blacks. There are some Europeans, most of them English. The language is English. The capital of the island and the chief commercial center is Bridgetown, population 20,000. Bridgetown is the port of call for many steamers, especially those southbound, and a considerable volume of general trade is carried on. There is some wholesale business, but in the main the trade is of a retail character. The chief exports are sugar, cotton, and fruits.

MARKET FOR PAINTS, PIGMENTS AND VARNISHES

Paints are not manufactured in Barbados, and therefore all that are used there are imported from foreign countries, chiefly England, United States, and Canada.

Complete statistics showing imports of paints and varnishes into Barbados for recent years are not available. The following table shows the imports for 1913 and 1920:

Although detailed statistics are not available for 1922 and 1923 preliminary reports indicate that the amount of paint imported during 1922 was 279,641 pounds, which increased to 334,409 pounds in 1923. Imports of polishes and varnishes during 1922 were 1,376 gallons and also show an increase in 1923, in which year 1,437 gallons were brought into the colony.

TYPE OF PAINT REQUIRED

Oil paints are used only for woodwork in Barbados and as there are very fow frame houses the demand is small. Most of the interiors are finished with a local lime wash or a popular English distemper, but some oil paints are also used. These consist of a lead or zinc base, mixed with oil and tinted by the local painters on the job. These artisans report that ready-mixed paints do not give the same results in Barbados as in the United States. Very little wall paper is used owing to the fact that it fades rapidly. Dark, medium, and light stone are the colors in greatest demand for exteriors, white for interiors, and red for roofs. The market for house specialty varnishes is very small, and is chiefly for clear color. There is no market for baking varnish and baking enamels. Most of the paint imported is for use on houses, but Bridgetown is a convenient port of call for ships and there is a sale for marine paints.

OTHER MARKET FACTORS

Quality. The tropical climate of Barbados causes paints to fade rapidly, particularly green. A portion of the demand is for highgrade merchandise, but incomes are very small, and it would be difficult to induce most buyers to purchase high-priced materials, even though it might be evident that high-quality goods outlast less expensive.