New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-17
has been reported that New-York people are after
more turfmen will continue in control
TO CATER TO FOREIGN MARKETS.
GOOD ADVICE FOR AMERICAN MANUFACT-
URERS AND MERCHANTS

URERS AND MERCHANTS.
Washington, Jan. &c (SpeciaD.-One fact which in
telligent and wide-awake consular officers OF the
United States have been trying for years to impress
on the minds Of American manufacturers and mer
chants who desire TO increase their sales In foreign
markets is the Importance ard necessity OF ascer-
tanning and catering not only TO the demands, but
also to the tastes and prejudces and even the
whims. OF the foreign peoples with whom they seek
10 deal. In order TO enlarge their foreign trade
manufacturers and merchants must know what the
people OF other countries like and will have. and
how TO prepare and deliver such goods. That this
Is beginning TO be realized and appreciated is
shown by the establishment of commercial mu-
scum in Philadelphia. and the preliminary steps
that have been taken TO establish in San Fran
cisco. one Of the most valuable uses OF such mu-
seums is the exhibition of samples of the kinds OF
goods used in foreign lands. and illustrations OF the
methods of preparing and putting up such goods as
command the favor Of foreign purchasers.
writer IN recent number OF an English COM
mcrcial paper after referring to the unwngness
OF English manufacturers to consult the desires
and tastes of their foreign customers, says:
The personal factors which enter into successful
competition must not be ignored 1t Il important
that our manufacturers Of textile fabrics should
know what are the desires or prejudices OF pur-
chasers in the different markets OF the world as
regards quality weight shng dies5ng ana , ,ne
ferred lengths and widths. and the manner OF put
ting up and packing freight charges ETC. An Hs
desirable product to failure. This Is particularly
true in China
said:
1t has not infrequently occurred that the sale
Of foreign goods has been greatly crippled by nav
tos Chinese superstitions or tastes. Many colors
have peculiar recognition by the people; some io O
Some all right on some kinds OF goods ana an
wrong on others The Chinese VIII often nu },c p1s
scents sweets. etc. for the sake Of getting a lucky
label. Some colors and combinations Of coiorS are
to the Chinese unucky
This officer has sent 10 his Government some
four hundred designs for trademarks and labels
which, in his Judgment. would be popular with
Chinese buyers.
IN n report under date Of November 60 1897, Mr.
Gracey. the United States Consul at Fucha dis
cusses the same subject. and points out the I'M
portance and, indeed. the necessity of paying heed
not only to Chinese superstitions. but also 10
Chinese ideas of art on the latter point he says:
1t must be remembered that Chinese art Is very
peculiar. and a tiger. as ordinarily represented py
foreign artists would not meet with faV0f win
9e5e pe4pe HS ah T art of unreasohabe
length Of body or bgness OF head or GnrVe OF
anese matchbox is displayed monkey standing on
its front feet head nearly touching ,l me gTSuG
skies The erotesGue ana even hIdeGus r TO tne
in Far Cathay. No description can supply ADEQUATE
Information to an engraver or colorer by which he
from the Chinese fancy in such things would brand
the goods at once as the product of a foreign
devil" and doom them to defeat.
4 Chinese dragon differs from japanese dragon
IN its contortiOns. royal dragon must nave Nv
claws. while the Dcbean beast has only iour. a
stork must always stand on one leg, or lying;
must present enormous spread or wings ana
trailing long legs. All japanese birds, when nyIng.
must have a tendency downward, never up or on
preferable to the representation OF snow-cappcd'
sacred fusigama, seen on nearly all japanese
fans, screens, etc.
Consul Gracey gives a list OF some Of the labels
and pictures he has most frequently seen displayed
IN shops and which he therefore thinks must be
popular. but adds;
Simply naming these things Will not supply suf-
ncicnt data from which prepare them. Illustra-
tlons of them could be obtained at small ex-
pense and could be supplied by Consus In different
parts of the Chinese Empire.
The list IS too long TO be reproduced here. but
space may be found for the following excerpts:
Anmals-Lion tiger. deer, fawn. leopard, ape
elephant, camel, dragon. buffalo. poughing
with water buffalo. boy riding water buffalo. woman
in bright robes holding long -necked vase her
shoulder, while one side of her is monkey
holding a chrysanthemum in Its mouth Many OF
these animals represented in various attitudes
leaping running standing on hind legs some with
enormous heads. out of all proportion 10 the body
while some have long bodies. out OF all proportion
to the other parts.
Geometrical Figures-Square. triangle, circle
tagon. square nclosing circle. triangle octagOn
and vice versa; circle with triangle pendant
tagon inclosing two smaller ones with figures be-
tween the lines and circle in the centre and other
combinations Of figures Chinese characters for
good-luck happiness. longevity, health, prosperity
double happiness. checkered figures. stripes In
bright yellow, green. blue and red