Volume 11 (1865) (424 pages)

The Mining and Scientific Press, 403 latter basing the superintending matallorgist, to whose genins and iudustry the prescnt genera. tion is indebted fur no mean shara of ite present stock of useful metallnrgic knowledge. Bonasingault ond Stephenson mutnally estecmad cach other, ond maintaived n life-long correspondenco; the latter was a good chemist, having heen taught by the tute Professor Phillipa, and never felt more gratified than when discussing points relating to chemistry, ns npplicable to inetallurzy, mining and geology. Of tho numernus men possessed of the highest intollectual attainments, of whom it has been my good fortune to possess tho honor of familiar intercnurse, . sever met one that at oll approached tho late Robert Stephenson, not ‘only in the variety but also the proficiency of his knowledge in every department of science excepting astrmnomy, to which I never heard him inuke any pretensions. Tho researches nf Bonssingault,just noticed, thmw much liglt upon amalgamation processes generally. and especially of that known under tho donominatiou of the Patio iethod. Skilled purties would not find it difficult to convert the theory into practicnl account, and adapt it for reducing poor orea and tailings now wasted or lying dormnnt. At the convorsation alluded to, some other points of great importance relating to metallurgy were introduced, which £ wilt name hereafter if a fitting necasion arises. The defectivo point in Boussingantt’s discovery will be found in practice to consist ia the fact that miueralized silver, in ordinury ores, does not generally exist as n simple sulphids of silver, but more freqnently as a double or trebla sulphide, often even with a larger admixture, as in “Polybasite, notwithstanding which I tnvs no doubt thcro nrg many cases where the so-called Gurtts’, or rather, Boussingault’s process, could be advantageously adopted. oussingault published his observutions inoro than a quarter of a century ago, which fact affords me an appropriate opportunity for agnin repenting what I stnted five years ago—nuniely, that there cxisted littlo room for inveution or discovery in relation to the treatment of eilver ores; thnt branch of chemistry hns been well worked. What is needed in these States and Territories is the eniployment of men to superintend the working of such ores, not only well acquniuted with the existing knowledge on the subject, but who have had some prnctical experience in what mny be termed chemicnt metallurgy, combined with quickness of perception and comprehen. siveness of mind, so ag to be enabled at once to conceive the best mode to hs adopted in each case, allied with practical aptitude in cartying fittiag conclusions into economic effect. Tur Hoosac TunneL To ny ABANDONED.— That magnificent atortion, the Hooane Tunnel, which has alrendy swallowed up several millions of dollars, is likely to he abandoned on account of its difficulty and expense. The continuance of State aid in its construction will come up before the present session of the Massachusetts Legislature. The American Eailway Times, of Boston, which ssems to be authority in such matters in New England, takes ground agatnet it, and in favor of Stato aid in the construction of a railroad over the mountains, as ia the cnse of tbe Peansylvania Central and the Baltimore and’ Ohio railroads. . . Senator Stewart's Jupiciany Brut.—The Virginia Union, noticing the telegraphic report that Senator Stewart has introduced a bill in Congress, defining the duties of the United States Courts on the Pacific coast, says: “ The story is obtaining.credit in circles snpposen to be in the secret of the Senator's plans, that the object of the bill is to vest in these courts jurisdiction over all cases of litigation, the subjectmatter of which is situated on the public lands.” Dr. Caannino, in his recent lecture before the Boston Science Association said that the Russian peasantry had a way of washing which he had not seen related in any book of travels. They took a mouthful of water from the pump, and, after holding-it until the chill was well off, spurted it, with a lively jet, into the hands, and applied it briskly tothe face. Towels they have none. Lucey Aoain.—the Smiley wrecking party, which left here sometime ago to explore the wreck of the steamship Golden Gate, have suceseded ia fishing up about eighty thousand doliars of the lost treasure. A portion, amouuting to seventeen thousand dollars, has alraady been received in this city. It is said that the Empress of Mexico transacts allthe business pertaining to the government. She is saidto bea shrewd and hard worker, Aiechanical. THE IRON INTEREST IN THE UNITED STATES. The production of iron nnd steel, and thcir manufacture into tho various classes of hcavy wurk and machinery, must nver form oue of the inost important iudustrial interests of cvery civilized community. ‘Ihe iron regions of this country, ns well as its coal fields, are nbsolutely inexhaustible. ‘fo say nothing of the Lako Superior and Missouri production, there are scores of furnaces in Southern Ohio, and lurge sums are invested at various other points intho Western and Enstcru States. Dittsburg, which is the centre of tho iron interest of Pennsylvania, has now in operation thirtytavo cstablishments for making bars, sheet-irou, rods, plates, etc., nnd six steel works, with a capacity of 200,000 tons per year. This district hns fiva blast furnaces, ruuuing nlmost exclusively on Lake Superior ora. Soon after the close of tho war, aud consequent stoppnge of government demand, the iron business of the country met with a sudden and niost damaging decline. Recently, however, the bnsiness has rovived again, nnd ths pregent is most emphatically the iron-makers’ harvest. Demands for almost every class ol work nre coming in from all sections of the country. Ths furonces, mills and founderies are everywhere heing driven to their utmost capacity, and mauy ars greatly enlarging their facilities for work. A hright and permanently prosperous future seems now in store for ths iron trade of the country. : STERL MANUFACTURE. Au especially incrensing attention is beginning to be felt in the maaufacture of steel. The late improvements recently introducad iuto this branch of the iron business in HuTope are being rapidly transplnnted to this conntry ; nnd the application of steel to a wider range of purposes is fast being made. The opiuion is rnpidly gnining ground that tbe improvaments for cheapening the mauufacture of steel, will soon make its use quite as general, ifnot more so thaniron. It is belicved that the time isnot far distant when evea ourrailroad tracks, at least all the priacipal lines, where the rails are subjected to heavy and continuous wear, will be made of steel. The Pennsylvania Railroad Co., have recently been experimenting in this dircction, and have furthermore availed themselves ol the best European experience; and have becoms thoroughly convinced of the superiority in point of economy of the steel over the iron rail. Uader the encouragement of this company, a capital of $1,000,000 bns beca raised for the purpose of erecting steel works, for manufacturing steel rails, wheel-tires, etc. S. M. Felton, Esq., late President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, is President, aud R. H. Lamborn, late Secretary of the American Iron aud Steel Association, is Secretary. ‘The works will go into operation at Harrisburg, on the ground contiguous to the Susquehanna river, and immediately on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is ndmitted by all praetical machinists that this enterpriso will be the most extensive of its kind ever erected in America, and is to be on this continent what the celebrnted works of Wade & Butcher at Sheffield are to Europe. One thousand experienced workmen in steel will ba brought from England,.whilte 15,000 other skilled mechanics will be required for the full operation of tbese works. i DUTIES AND TAXES SHOULD BE NODIFIED. It is somewhat unfortunate, at the present time, that the existing revenue laws show a striking disproportion between the home tax and the tariff ou iron, the effect of which is highly iujurious to the great iron home interest. Efforts are being made, however, to make such a represeatation to the present Congress, . agit is thougbt will call for a prompt aad wise’ modification of existing legislation on this niatter, to the eud that this industry shal! be pluced iu a condition to thrive nnd increase ; @ motter especially important at the present tims, when the threatening aspect of onr foreign relutions ara such as may at almost any momeut throw us upon our own resources, in this pre-emineutly important branch of industry. A SUGGESTIVE NEMARK, Mr. D. J. Morrell, of Johnstown, Penn., in contrusting tho misernble wages of fifty cents a day paid by English iron masters, with the price of two dollars per day paid hy Aimericun iron wnnnufacturets, inakes the following highly important and suggestive remark : ‘Phat portion of the prico of a ton of imported iron which stunds for the wages of labor represents cynrse food, mean raiment, and worse lodging, political inntility, enforced ignorance, serldom in @ single occupation, with a prospect ot cventual relief by the pnrish. ‘That portion of a toa of American iron which stands for the wages of labor, represents fresh and wholesome food, good raiment, freedom of movement nnd chango of occupation, intelligent support of the machinery of municipal, state and national goverament, with a prospect of comfortable old age, dividing its substance, with blessings, among prosperous children.” "Tus AssNoorart.—Among tls scientific novelties exhibited nt ths lats meeting of the British Association at Birmingham, there was an instrument iuveuted and patented by 8. B. Howlett, of the War Office, by menns of which winds, from tha gentlest breezes np to the most furious storm, can he made to record their own direction and force in the form of a diagram on paper. In other words, the iastrument bas only to be set in ni exposed position, and left to itself during tho continuance of a breezs or storm, and it will present on ohbserver with an accurate map, drawn to a acale, of what the winds have been doing. Their direction is shown to a degree, and their strength ig nieasured to half an ounce, and this with uuerring precision. The instrument does not occupy more space thnn nn ordinary theodolite, and is pyramidal in shape. Macuine ror Recisrerino Musican Norss. Onc Herr Andres, of Mayence, has invented n machine which will write down music as fnst agit is played. The inward organization of which is still a secret; it is said, however, to be very simple, and cheap, and may be readily adapted ag an attachment to any instrument, such as a piano, organ, etc. The visible process outside consists in inserting at one end of the machine an endless strip of paper, which comes out at the other end ruled with red lines, while the music is’printed in black. It prints the notes, marks the pauses, and forte on the piano, and notes when the employment of the pedal commences and stops, ete. ‘lhe invention may be entirely concealed nnder or behind the instrument. If it will accomplish all of this, it must be really a wonderful inVeation. How Locomotives are Mabe In THe Uniten Srates.—The great competitionin this country has made a resort to system, or fixed plan of procedure,a matter of necessity. Thers are noless than twenty noted establishments where quantities of engines are turned out, to say notbing of lesser ones, and repair shops, which do a great deal toward renovating and rebuilding engines. In ths hest of thase large shops the same principle is pursued as in the maaufacture of Colt’s pistol, or a Springfield rifled musket; that is to say, every engine of its class 1g exactly like its predecessor, and a cylinder could be made and fitted to a locomotive anywhere with the certainty that it would be right as to its centre from the frame, right as to ita position on the frame, and of the same dimensions in other respects to insure its proper working. Rye Srraw anp Tow Parer.—M. A. Cashing, of Glenn's Falls (N. Y.) sends the Scienlifie American samples of paper made from threa parts conrse tow, shoove and all, and thirty parts of rye straw. The paper is very white and of good quality, and devoid of that harsh, brittle feeling and textnre which is common-to straw papers. The compauy is now making two tons per day. Mecuantcs' wages are advnncing in England. Tho cabinet makers in London lately demanded an ndvance of tea per csnt. on all kinds of work, and received it. Lake Surrrion Jron.—the quality of the Lake Superinr iron is conceded to bs superior to any iron in the world, as is showu by the followiug analysis, giving the strength per squaro iuch in pounds ; Salisbury, Cono., tron Swedinh (vest). Engitsh cable, Center Go., Pu Foxex Co ,N.¥., Lancaster C+., Pit. .c0e 76,869 Com Fughsh und American 000 Lake SOPerlors sc ecsies ewer ees ves BUS ausobcnsr 80,662 But littlo iron is worked into monufuctures on Lake Superior except for home use. Car wlivels are mado to sone extent at Harvey, and at the railway cur shops at Morquetts—a very coimplete establishmeut, by the way, which under the superintendence of Mr. Duukersley, tnrns gutall the work needed ona railway. For car wheels, gearing, shutting, boiler iron, and in fuct for all uses where great strength and freedom from imperfections is required, the Lake Superior iron must ever take tho precedence over all others. Ontaixixo Motives Powrr.—An invsntion, the speciul object of which is tn enable tlio heat produced by combustion to bs utilised in the production of motive power through a greater range of temperatnre than is now dono, in order that a largsr proportion of the heat may bo converted into mechanical effect, has heen provisionnlly specified hy Mr. M. P. Bonlton, of ‘lew Park, Oxon. He states that hent inay be imparted to ths fluid by injecting into tho vessel some substance in a stata of fusion—metals, or salts o! metnis—the steam heing used in various ways as thot produced in the usual method is eniployed. Cast-Iron Naits.—Cast-iron nails are now extonsively used, and are found to rust auch lesa rapidly uader tho influence of the atmosphere than ordinary nails, or even thoss uinde of copper. ‘They are used especially in making roots for manulactories which produce gases that corrods common wrought-iron. ‘The nails, nlter being cast from very bot metal in saad-moulds, are rendered mnilteabla by being exposed to a red hent for 72 hours in refrnctory retorts contaiuing pulverized oxide of iron and sawdust, and then allowed to cool slowly. New Marrriat ror Mattnesses.—Nineteeu large bales of the rough mossy covering of the soap-plant root, or bulh, have nrrived in this city {rom Salt Spring Valley, near Copperopolis. ‘This merteriat has been tricd, it is said, and found to aaswer a very good purpose . for mattresses. When thorouchly cleaned and prepared, it is esteemed superior to pulu, inasmuch as it does not form into hard lumps, but remains soft and yielding while iu use. A MecnanicaL Luxury.—A patent has recently been taken out in France for a carriage that is air tight, andso strong that the air may be compressed in it to a density suitable to the necessities of patients who have diseases that require them to be kept in compressed air, in order to hreathe effectively. The air is constantly pumped in,as the carriage runs, by 2 pump which ig worked by an eccentric on the axle of the hind wheels. Ths must be a great luxury for invalids. Srret CaoEs.—Vhe snbject of the introduetioa of steel cages, instead of wood or iron, for use in tbs mines, is being agitated in England. The chief object is to get rid of the weight. A stesl cage cnn be mnde that will weigh one-third less than an iron one, and still be much stronger, and more endnring. A Larce Oroan.—Mr. Joseph Mayer, of this city, is constructing for the Synngogue of the Congregation Emanuel, tho largest organ ‘ever huilt on this coast. Its cost will he about $8,000. A Great Woop Cuorpino Frat.—The San Andténs Register says: A young man nained Michael Welch at Donnallan’s ranch, recently chopped 122 cords of wood in 251g days, and corded up 2614 cords in one day, and 32 cords in anothsr. Perroueum vs. Coau.—Mr. 0. J. Ricbards0a, in a letter to the London Times, says his brother at Woolwicb Dockyard has shown that petroleum is 50 per ceut. more powerful thau the best.coal as steam fuel. that it can be ‘ burned with eass and withont danger. LaRoE quantities of sugar pine staves for syrup barrels are manufactured in Tuolumne county, east of Sonora, aud shipped to San Francisco. Ths business promises to bscome an importaat branch of industry. T'ne first locomotive made in Iowa, was turned out of the workshop of the Des Moines Valley Railrond at Keokuk, Saturday, October 14, and put upon that line—more soon to follow.

The Mining and Scientific Press, 403 latter basing the superintending matallorgist, to whose genins and iudustry the prescnt genera. tion is indebted fur no mean shara of ite present stock of useful metallnrgic knowledge. Bonasingault ond Stephenson mutnally estecmad cach other, ond maintaived n life-long correspondenco; the latter was a good chemist, having heen taught by the tute Professor Phillipa, and never felt more gratified than when discussing points relating to chemistry, ns npplicable to inetallurzy, mining and geology. Of tho numernus men possessed of the highest intollectual attainments, of whom it has been my good fortune to possess tho honor of familiar intercnurse, . sever met one that at oll approached tho late Robert Stephenson, not ‘only in the variety but also the proficiency of his knowledge in every department of science excepting astrmnomy, to which I never heard him inuke any pretensions. Tho researches nf Bonssingault,just noticed, thmw much liglt upon amalgamation processes generally. and especially of that known under tho donominatiou of the Patio iethod. Skilled purties would not find it difficult to convert the theory into practicnl account, and adapt it for reducing poor orea and tailings now wasted or lying dormnnt. At the convorsation alluded to, some other points of great importance relating to metallurgy were introduced, which £ wilt name hereafter if a fitting necasion arises. The defectivo point in Boussingantt’s discovery will be found in practice to consist ia the fact that miueralized silver, in ordinury ores, does not generally exist as n simple sulphids of silver, but more freqnently as a double or trebla sulphide, often even with a larger admixture, as in “Polybasite, notwithstanding which I tnvs no doubt thcro nrg many cases where the so-called Gurtts’, or rather, Boussingault’s process, could be advantageously adopted. oussingault published his observutions inoro than a quarter of a century ago, which fact affords me an appropriate opportunity for agnin repenting what I stnted five years ago—nuniely, that there cxisted littlo room for inveution or discovery in relation to the treatment of eilver ores; thnt branch of chemistry hns been well worked. What is needed in these States and Territories is the eniployment of men to superintend the working of such ores, not only well acquniuted with the existing knowledge on the subject, but who have had some prnctical experience in what mny be termed chemicnt metallurgy, combined with quickness of perception and comprehen. siveness of mind, so ag to be enabled at once to conceive the best mode to hs adopted in each case, allied with practical aptitude in cartying fittiag conclusions into economic effect. Tur Hoosac TunneL To ny ABANDONED.— That magnificent atortion, the Hooane Tunnel, which has alrendy swallowed up several millions of dollars, is likely to he abandoned on account of its difficulty and expense. The continuance of State aid in its construction will come up before the present session of the Massachusetts Legislature. The American Eailway Times, of Boston, which ssems to be authority in such matters in New England, takes ground agatnet it, and in favor of Stato aid in the construction of a railroad over the mountains, as ia the cnse of tbe Peansylvania Central and the Baltimore and’ Ohio railroads. . . Senator Stewart's Jupiciany Brut.—The Virginia Union, noticing the telegraphic report that Senator Stewart has introduced a bill in Congress, defining the duties of the United States Courts on the Pacific coast, says: “ The story is obtaining.credit in circles snpposen to be in the secret of the Senator's plans, that the object of the bill is to vest in these courts jurisdiction over all cases of litigation, the subjectmatter of which is situated on the public lands.” Dr. Caannino, in his recent lecture before the Boston Science Association said that the Russian peasantry had a way of washing which he had not seen related in any book of travels. They took a mouthful of water from the pump, and, after holding-it until the chill was well off, spurted it, with a lively jet, into the hands, and applied it briskly tothe face. Towels they have none. Lucey Aoain.—the Smiley wrecking party, which left here sometime ago to explore the wreck of the steamship Golden Gate, have suceseded ia fishing up about eighty thousand doliars of the lost treasure. A portion, amouuting to seventeen thousand dollars, has alraady been received in this city. It is said that the Empress of Mexico transacts allthe business pertaining to the government. She is saidto bea shrewd and hard worker, Aiechanical. THE IRON INTEREST IN THE UNITED STATES. The production of iron nnd steel, and thcir manufacture into tho various classes of hcavy wurk and machinery, must nver form oue of the inost important iudustrial interests of cvery civilized community. ‘Ihe iron regions of this country, ns well as its coal fields, are nbsolutely inexhaustible. ‘fo say nothing of the Lako Superior and Missouri production, there are scores of furnaces in Southern Ohio, and lurge sums are invested at various other points intho Western and Enstcru States. Dittsburg, which is the centre of tho iron interest of Pennsylvania, has now in operation thirtytavo cstablishments for making bars, sheet-irou, rods, plates, etc., nnd six steel works, with a capacity of 200,000 tons per year. This district hns fiva blast furnaces, ruuuing nlmost exclusively on Lake Superior ora. Soon after the close of tho war, aud consequent stoppnge of government demand, the iron business of the country met with a sudden and niost damaging decline. Recently, however, the bnsiness has rovived again, nnd ths pregent is most emphatically the iron-makers’ harvest. Demands for almost every class ol work nre coming in from all sections of the country. Ths furonces, mills and founderies are everywhere heing driven to their utmost capacity, and mauy ars greatly enlarging their facilities for work. A hright and permanently prosperous future seems now in store for ths iron trade of the country. : STERL MANUFACTURE. Au especially incrensing attention is beginning to be felt in the maaufacture of steel. The late improvements recently introducad iuto this branch of the iron business in HuTope are being rapidly transplnnted to this conntry ; nnd the application of steel to a wider range of purposes is fast being made. The opiuion is rnpidly gnining ground that tbe improvaments for cheapening the mauufacture of steel, will soon make its use quite as general, ifnot more so thaniron. It is belicved that the time isnot far distant when evea ourrailroad tracks, at least all the priacipal lines, where the rails are subjected to heavy and continuous wear, will be made of steel. The Pennsylvania Railroad Co., have recently been experimenting in this dircction, and have furthermore availed themselves ol the best European experience; and have becoms thoroughly convinced of the superiority in point of economy of the steel over the iron rail. Uader the encouragement of this company, a capital of $1,000,000 bns beca raised for the purpose of erecting steel works, for manufacturing steel rails, wheel-tires, etc. S. M. Felton, Esq., late President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, is President, aud R. H. Lamborn, late Secretary of the American Iron aud Steel Association, is Secretary. ‘The works will go into operation at Harrisburg, on the ground contiguous to the Susquehanna river, and immediately on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is ndmitted by all praetical machinists that this enterpriso will be the most extensive of its kind ever erected in America, and is to be on this continent what the celebrnted works of Wade & Butcher at Sheffield are to Europe. One thousand experienced workmen in steel will ba brought from England,.whilte 15,000 other skilled mechanics will be required for the full operation of tbese works. i DUTIES AND TAXES SHOULD BE NODIFIED. It is somewhat unfortunate, at the present time, that the existing revenue laws show a striking disproportion between the home tax and the tariff ou iron, the effect of which is highly iujurious to the great iron home interest. Efforts are being made, however, to make such a represeatation to the present Congress, . agit is thougbt will call for a prompt aad wise’ modification of existing legislation on this niatter, to the eud that this industry shal! be pluced iu a condition to thrive nnd increase ; @ motter especially important at the present tims, when the threatening aspect of onr foreign relutions ara such as may at almost any momeut throw us upon our own resources, in this pre-emineutly important branch of industry. A SUGGESTIVE NEMARK, Mr. D. J. Morrell, of Johnstown, Penn., in contrusting tho misernble wages of fifty cents a day paid by English iron masters, with the price of two dollars per day paid hy Aimericun

iron wnnnufacturets, inakes the following highly important and suggestive remark : ‘Phat portion of the prico of a ton of imported iron which stunds for the wages of labor represents cynrse food, mean raiment, and worse lodging, political inntility, enforced ignorance, serldom in @ single occupation, with a prospect ot cventual relief by the pnrish. ‘That portion of a toa of American iron which stands for the wages of labor, represents fresh and wholesome food, good raiment, freedom of movement nnd chango of occupation, intelligent support of the machinery of municipal, state and national goverament, with a prospect of comfortable old age, dividing its substance, with blessings, among prosperous children.” "Tus AssNoorart.—Among tls scientific novelties exhibited nt ths lats meeting of the British Association at Birmingham, there was an instrument iuveuted and patented by 8. B. Howlett, of the War Office, by menns of which winds, from tha gentlest breezes np to the most furious storm, can he made to record their own direction and force in the form of a diagram on paper. In other words, the iastrument bas only to be set in ni exposed position, and left to itself during tho continuance of a breezs or storm, and it will present on ohbserver with an accurate map, drawn to a acale, of what the winds have been doing. Their direction is shown to a degree, and their strength ig nieasured to half an ounce, and this with uuerring precision. The instrument does not occupy more space thnn nn ordinary theodolite, and is pyramidal in shape. Macuine ror Recisrerino Musican Norss. Onc Herr Andres, of Mayence, has invented n machine which will write down music as fnst agit is played. The inward organization of which is still a secret; it is said, however, to be very simple, and cheap, and may be readily adapted ag an attachment to any instrument, such as a piano, organ, etc. The visible process outside consists in inserting at one end of the machine an endless strip of paper, which comes out at the other end ruled with red lines, while the music is’printed in black. It prints the notes, marks the pauses, and forte on the piano, and notes when the employment of the pedal commences and stops, ete. ‘lhe invention may be entirely concealed nnder or behind the instrument. If it will accomplish all of this, it must be really a wonderful inVeation. How Locomotives are Mabe In THe Uniten Srates.—The great competitionin this country has made a resort to system, or fixed plan of procedure,a matter of necessity. Thers are noless than twenty noted establishments where quantities of engines are turned out, to say notbing of lesser ones, and repair shops, which do a great deal toward renovating and rebuilding engines. In ths hest of thase large shops the same principle is pursued as in the maaufacture of Colt’s pistol, or a Springfield rifled musket; that is to say, every engine of its class 1g exactly like its predecessor, and a cylinder could be made and fitted to a locomotive anywhere with the certainty that it would be right as to its centre from the frame, right as to ita position on the frame, and of the same dimensions in other respects to insure its proper working. Rye Srraw anp Tow Parer.—M. A. Cashing, of Glenn's Falls (N. Y.) sends the Scienlifie American samples of paper made from threa parts conrse tow, shoove and all, and thirty parts of rye straw. The paper is very white and of good quality, and devoid of that harsh, brittle feeling and textnre which is common-to straw papers. The compauy is now making two tons per day. Mecuantcs' wages are advnncing in England. Tho cabinet makers in London lately demanded an ndvance of tea per csnt. on all kinds of work, and received it. Lake Surrrion Jron.—the quality of the Lake Superinr iron is conceded to bs superior to any iron in the world, as is showu by the followiug analysis, giving the strength per squaro iuch in pounds ; Salisbury, Cono., tron Swedinh (vest).. Engitsh cable, Center Go., Pu Foxex Co ,N.¥., Lancaster C+., Pit.. ..c0e 76,869 Com Fughsh und American 000 Lake SOPerlors sc ecsies ewer ees ves BUS ausobcnsr 80,662 But littlo iron is worked into monufuctures on Lake Superior except for home use. Car wlivels are mado to sone extent at Harvey, and at the railway cur shops at Morquetts—a very coimplete establishmeut, by the way, which under the superintendence of Mr. Duukersley, tnrns gutall the work needed ona railway. For car wheels, gearing, shutting, boiler iron, and in fuct for all uses where great strength and freedom from imperfections is required, the Lake Superior iron must ever take tho precedence over all others. Ontaixixo Motives Powrr.—An invsntion, the speciul object of which is tn enable tlio heat produced by combustion to bs utilised in the production of motive power through a greater range of temperatnre than is now dono, in order that a largsr proportion of the heat may bo converted into mechanical effect, has heen provisionnlly specified hy Mr. M. P. Bonlton, of ‘lew Park, Oxon. He states that hent inay be imparted to ths fluid by injecting into tho vessel some substance in a stata of fusion—metals, or salts o! metnis—the steam heing used in various ways as thot produced in the usual method is eniployed. Cast-Iron Naits.—Cast-iron nails are now extonsively used, and are found to rust auch lesa rapidly uader tho influence of the atmosphere than ordinary nails, or even thoss uinde of copper. ‘They are used especially in making roots for manulactories which produce gases that corrods common wrought-iron. ‘The nails, nlter being cast from very bot metal in saad-moulds, are rendered mnilteabla by being exposed to a red hent for 72 hours in refrnctory retorts contaiuing pulverized oxide of iron and sawdust, and then allowed to cool slowly. New Marrriat ror Mattnesses.—Nineteeu large bales of the rough mossy covering of the soap-plant root, or bulh, have nrrived in this city {rom Salt Spring Valley, near Copperopolis. ‘This merteriat has been tricd, it is said, and found to aaswer a very good purpose . for mattresses. When thorouchly cleaned and prepared, it is esteemed superior to pulu, inasmuch as it does not form into hard lumps, but remains soft and yielding while iu use. A MecnanicaL Luxury.—A patent has recently been taken out in France for a carriage that is air tight, andso strong that the air may be compressed in it to a density suitable to the necessities of patients who have diseases that require them to be kept in compressed air, in order to hreathe effectively. The air is constantly pumped in,as the carriage runs, by 2 pump which ig worked by an eccentric on the axle of the hind wheels. Ths must be a great luxury for invalids. Srret CaoEs.—Vhe snbject of the introduetioa of steel cages, instead of wood or iron, for use in tbs mines, is being agitated in England. The chief object is to get rid of the weight. A stesl cage cnn be mnde that will weigh one-third less than an iron one, and still be much stronger, and more endnring. A Larce Oroan.—Mr. Joseph Mayer, of this city, is constructing for the Synngogue of the Congregation Emanuel, tho largest organ ‘ever huilt on this coast. Its cost will he about $8,000. A Great Woop Cuorpino Frat.—The San Andténs Register says: A young man nained Michael Welch at Donnallan’s ranch, recently chopped 122 cords of wood in 251g days, and corded up 2614 cords in one day, and 32 cords in anothsr. Perroueum vs. Coau.—Mr. 0. J. Ricbards0a, in a letter to the London Times, says his brother at Woolwicb Dockyard has shown that petroleum is 50 per ceut. more powerful thau the best.coal as steam fuel. that it can be ‘ burned with eass and withont danger. LaRoE quantities of sugar pine staves for syrup barrels are manufactured in Tuolumne county, east of Sonora, aud shipped to San Francisco. Ths business promises to bscome an importaat branch of industry. T'ne first locomotive made in Iowa, was turned out of the workshop of the Des Moines Valley Railrond at Keokuk, Saturday, October 14, and put upon that line—more soon to follow.