The correct meaning of the term " best" is very different to the signification of it in the iron trade, in which it now implies the next better quality than common; and it is usually said to be made by a repetition of the process at the balling furnace, the forge, and the rough rolls; that is to say, the rough bar of the common iron already described, is cut, piled, and made into a bloom once more, which confers upon the metal a more fibrous texture, and considerably increases its toughness and elasticity. We believe, however, that much of the iron that is sold under this denomination undergoes a different process, which does not improve the quality to the same extent.. We are informed that best iron is more commonly prepared from pig metal of a better quality, namely, the dark grey, whose fracture is brilliant, and of a silvery white colour. These are carefully refined and puddled, without any admixture of inferior materials; the bloom is well hammered, and when rolled out into rough bar, it is made thinner than for common iron; this is afterwards cut into short lengths, piled, reheated, and rolled out to the required size, as in common iron.