Volume 39 (1879) (446 pages)

thins i Mi ia An Illustrated Journal of Mining, Popular Science and General News. BY DEWEY & CO., Publishors, SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1879. VOLUME 23AxXXIX Number 12 An Improved Pulverizer and Roller. We illustrate herowith an improved roller and polverizer, recently patented through the Misixo axp Scientiric Press Patent Agency, hy Georgo Meding, of this city. The invention is in that class of pulverizera or clod crushers which aro rolled over the ground, and hy that means hreak up the lumps and leave the soil in proper condition for sowing seed. To the frame of the roller is attached a pole for the horgos, and in the rear ia a seat for the driver, as shown in the engraving. The axle is fixed to the frame and docs not revolve. On the axle is monnted the rollers, which may be made in two parts, with a har between them for giving center snpport to the axle. These rollers are formed of four-sided hars, secured in a circle to the edge of the wheels. The bars are so placed that their edges are outward and strike the ground, so as to more effec-! tually cnt up the clods or Jumps. Rods extend across between the ends of the rollers, inside, for strengthening, and are set np hy nuts, so as to keep the crusbing hars in position. By nnscrewing these rods the wheels may be separated, so that the four-sided bars may he turned and bring new edges outside. When, however, the inside binding rods are screwed up the hars cannot he turned, and their sharp edges are kept in proper position. The pnlverizing bars are secured in position in the wheels hy square countersunk holes heing made in the wheels, As these holes are not made through the wheels the hars cannot move endwise when the hinding rods are screwed np, and the shape of the boles in the wheels is such that they cannot rotate. Rollers made in this manner are much more effective as clod crushers or pulverizers than those of ordinary construction. The sharp edges of the hara cut or hreak the clods without pressing themintothe pround. Such pieces or lnmps as pass tbrough the interstices between the bars are rolled over and over again until fine enough to pass out again. When the edges of the hars become dull they can he torned, so that fresh edges are presented. In this way each bar can he tnrned fonr times before needing renewal. 7 Rollers of this kind can be made comparatively light, and be easier on the draft animals than tbe heavy plank rollers, while at the same time, from their peculiar construction, they are very much more effective than those of ordinary construction. Each paw of whecls for each rollor, when there are two, revolves independently on tbe sbaft so as to facilitate tnrning. The wheels may he made open at the sides as shown, for lightness and facility of construction. In order to give the roller the best poseible effect, and make the edges of the hare last as long as possihle, the inventor prefers to make them witb concave sides. This produces a thinner, and more cutting and effective edge; and these hars may he rolled as cheaply as any other form by having rolle provided for the purpose. Mr. Meding has had this pulvcrizer in practical nse for some time, and finde it to anawer the requirements perfectly. It leaves the ground well pulverized and smooth, ready for seeding, This roller will work where no other can, except when the soil is too wet. It will crnsh the clods, even when dry, and in that way enahle the farmer to get hie summer-fallowed ground pnolverized ; and when used after sowing, will leave the ground smooth, which will save mnch on his machinery and horses when harvesting is going on. Its use will enable the hay-rake to rake clean, and no clods will he found in tbe hay. The roller will not only he valuable on atrong clay or adobe land, but even on light soil it will prove efficient, eince it is beavy, and hy putting more weigbt on it can he made heavier, if desired. The mark thie roller leaves after it is eomething like the marks of a very fine harrow, which is considered, hy eome, better than a perfectly smooth surface. The rays of the sun will not come perpendicular on the surface. If necessary to break the crust formed after a rain, by rolling over again’ crossway the earth will he easily pulverized. If the roller is not wanted on it, a comparatively light harrow will pulverize it by harrowing the same way it is rolled, the harrow coming across the smal. “combs” and breaking the crust, without working too deep in the ground. Rolled after the fiold is sowed, these small “‘comhs” will give a kind of protection and lce to the young sprout when it first peeps out on the snrface. The roller can be made of any size or length, if desired. One of them in nse is 8 feet long, and the cylinder is 36 incbes in diameter, and will weigh over 1,600 pounds. Most of the weight is in the rollers, and nothing else than the driver and the frame is weigbing down on the axle, which renders it comparatively light for two horses. The patent right is for sale, or contracts for making the roller can be obtained hy applying to the inventor, George Meding, at Reading, Shasta county, Cal. Mrnixc InqErests ry New Yorx.—The efforts made in the East to develop the mining husiness are certainly an indication of the growing importance of mines as an investment. We are hardly prepared to say that mining stocks will nsurp the position railroad, coal mine and other stocks have hitherto beld in the Kast, al. Assessable and Non-assessable Stock. The Now York Mining Record, in contrasting tho two systems, favora the assessment system of mining stocks, Mining incorporations organized under the laws of Colorado and New York are not legally suhjeot to assessment, while in California and Nevada the assessment plan seems to he regarded as the only practical metbod. Complaints are lond against the nonassessable stock system, becauso of its danger to the interests of small investors, There is no doubt that mining, as a rule, requires constant outlay for development, dead work and machinery. This development fund in the nonassessable system is created hy the sale of what is known as the working-capital stock, to effect which every offort is made to get out ore enough to enable the managers to declare a dividend. In the case of the Flagstaff mining company, of Utah, reported in a former numbher of this paper, money was borrowed on the strength of the ore in sight and used in paying dividends. This hefore any work was done to place the mine on a permanent industrial basis, This is distasteful to the Mining Record, inasMEDING’S IMPROVED ROLLER AND PULVERIZER. though the former are gainiug ground daily. There is something more solid and suhstantial ahout a paying gold or silver mine, and the fluctuations of value are less than in any other investment. It is now proposed to estahlish miner’s hank at New York, which will advance money on good prospective or dividend-paying mining stocks at nine per cent., and to secure the same facilities and case of trading in mining stocks as van he got on railroad and other securities listed at the N. Y. Stock Exchange. It is claimed that no speculation of any account in mining stocks can he looked for until this advantage is offered the puhlic. Catirornta Mininc News.—We are in receipt of inquiries concerning the development of the mineral resources of our State of a more detailed character than we can gather from some of our exchanges. Indeed, we are obliged to rely for news from many localities upon correspondents. We would he glad to receive reports from every county, and solicit from all reliahle facts ahout the mining business, which at the present time is heing so rapidly developed. ew discoveries are heing made, and new methods tried. We desire to afford scope in our columns for whatever information may he of interest to the readers of a mining and scientific journal. Let all who are interested in removing the imputation of California mines heing exhansted write us, and we will give eke credit. much ag foreclosure is generally a speedy result, sacrificing the most of the stockholders, and says a good word for our system hy advising its readers that, ‘‘under cvery aspect we must regard the system of assessable shares tbe safest for investors, and the other system as fraught with hazard of loss of every dollar invested in that way. Therefore, we cannot hesitate to counsel our friends to organize their mining ventures, whenever practicable, only under the laws of a State tbat authorize and regulate assessments. Having thus provided for the mutual ready support and equal contribution of means for the prosecution of the enterprise by all the shareholdere according to their respective interests, let care be taken to select men of unblemished husinese standing for the management, and we conscientiouely believe the larger part of the mining echemes now before the public offer more certainty of profitahle outcome upon the money invested in them than in any other industrial undertakings.” THE Massachusetts State Greenhackers at Boston have nominated Gen. B. F. Butler for Governor and Wendell Phillips for Lieutenant Governor. Ture loss of cotton in Louisiana and Mississippi from the late storms ie placed at 250,000 hales, and of sugar in the former State at 50,000 bogsheads. A ricH vein of eilver is said to have been discovered at Meredith, N. H. ’ Oil from Shales. An important industry has sprung up in Scotland, which is of some practical benetit in this country, where the crude material exists in large quantities. It is the production of napbtha, paraffine and ammonia from shale. As far back as 1848, James Young had a small petroleum spring which was met with in a colliery at Alfreton, in Derbyshire, and when that hecame exhausted he endeavored to ohtain the same oils hy distilling coal, After many trials he was fortunate in meeting with what may now be termed the famous Boghead Cannel, so well known for its richness in oil. Some shale bears a strong affinity to coal, which fact led to a celebrated trial at Edinburgh in 1853, in which the most eminent chemists, mineralogists and goologists could not agree upon the question as to whether shale was coal or not. Some coal, sucb as that known as ‘Curly Cannel” peculiar to the Mold district, in North Wales, gives a large percentage of oil, and at one time was extensively distilled. Some other shales are also rich in oil, and at Barnstaple, far away from any coal field, a bed of sbale, highly impregnated with oil, was found while digging some foundations, It was found traversing the upper devonian shale, but it is met with most extensively in connection with the coal measures, The oil isin great demand, and the price is sucb as to leave a good protit, if we are to judge by the dividends paid by one company and the vast sums made hy a few individuals, wbo have had something like a monopoly of the manufacture since it was first commenced. The valne of solid paraffine is considerahle, and with respect to it, Liehig, the great chemist, said if anyone succeeded in producing it from coal it would be one of the greatest discoveries of the age. This has heen accomplished, ani from shale is ohtained a white, dry, odorless suhstance, portahle, and eapahle of being burned inalamp. Amongsv the various works in Scotland nearly 800,000 tons of shale are distilled annually, producing nearly 30,000,000 gallons of crude oil, from which ahont 12,000,000 gallons of refined oil are obtained, in addition to large quantities of naphtha, solid paraffine, ammonia, and other cbemical prodncts, Our own immense supply of petroleum may not, perhaps, justify the distillation of coal to ohtain products which are obtained from: petroleum, Every refinery turns out enormous quantities of paraffine, hoth hard and soft, which is easily and cheaply refined hy the Byerley process, one refinery in Cleveland, Ohio, alone turning out from 12 to 20 tons of solid paraffine per day, ahout 3 tons of which is soft and used for chewing gum. The oil from shales is hoth colorless and without odor, and this alone may he an inducement. The expense of refining petroleum oil is considerahle, notwithstanding ite enormous quantity, and it requires consider: ahle handling. Whether the distillation of coal would enahle ns to obtain a cheaper product is possible, for we are now paying morefor a gallon of refined oil than for a barrel of crude. Coming into use largely for cooking, we need a cheap, odorless oil, Our resources on this coast, in the way of oil productions, are large, and we certainly ought to he independent of the tin cans sent us from the Hast at a high price. Tucson Nores.—Capt, W. H. Seamane informs us that the city of Tucson has now a population of some seven or eigbt thousand, three-fourths of whom are Mexicans, A large increase is expected as eoon as the weather hecomes cooler. Tombstone ie a very active camp, and is rapidly increasing in population. Some persons claim that a large town will grow up there, but it is predicted that the “hose” town will he located near the San Pedro river, fifty or sixty miles east of Tucson, where the S. P. R. R. will cross that stream, The advent of the locomotive is expected before the first of Decemher uext. Connecrion has been made between the Union and Sierra Nevada mines.

thins i Mi ia An Illustrated Journal of Mining, Popular Science and General News. BY DEWEY & CO., Publishors, SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1879. VOLUME 23AxXXIX Number 12 An Improved Pulverizer and Roller. We illustrate herowith an improved roller and polverizer, recently patented through the Misixo axp Scientiric Press Patent Agency, hy Georgo Meding, of this city. The invention is in that class of pulverizera or clod crushers which aro rolled over the ground, and hy that means hreak up the lumps and leave the soil in proper condition for sowing seed. To the frame of the roller is attached a pole for the horgos, and in the rear ia a seat for the driver, as shown in the engraving. The axle is fixed to the frame and docs not revolve. On the axle is monnted the rollers, which may be made in two parts, with a har between them for giving center snpport to the axle. These rollers are formed of four-sided hars, secured in a circle to the edge of the wheels. The bars are so placed that their edges are outward and strike the ground, so as to more effec-! tually cnt up the clods or Jumps. Rods extend across between the ends of the rollers, inside, for strengthening, and are set np hy nuts, so as to keep the crusbing hars in position. By nnscrewing these rods the wheels may be separated, so that the four-sided bars may he turned and bring new edges outside. When, however, the inside binding rods are screwed up the hars cannot he turned, and their sharp edges are kept in proper position. The pnlverizing bars are secured in position in the wheels hy square countersunk holes heing made in the wheels, As these holes are not made through the wheels the hars cannot move endwise when the hinding rods are screwed np, and the shape of the boles in the wheels is such that they cannot rotate. Rollers made in this manner are much more effective as clod crushers or pulverizers than those of ordinary construction. The sharp edges of the hara cut or hreak the clods without pressing themintothe pround. Such pieces or lnmps as pass tbrough the interstices between the bars are rolled over and over again until fine enough to pass out again. When the edges of the hars become dull they can he torned, so that fresh edges are presented. In this way each bar can he tnrned fonr times before needing renewal. 7 Rollers of this kind can be made comparatively light, and be easier on the draft animals than tbe heavy plank rollers, while at the same time, from their peculiar construction, they are very much more effective than those of ordinary construction. Each paw of whecls for each rollor, when there are two, revolves independently on tbe sbaft so as to facilitate tnrning. The wheels may he made open at the sides as shown, for lightness and facility of construction. In order to give the roller the best poseible effect, and make the edges of the hare last as long as possihle, the inventor prefers to make them witb concave sides. This produces a thinner, and more cutting and effective edge; and these hars may he rolled as cheaply as any other form by having rolle provided for the purpose. Mr. Meding has had this pulvcrizer in practical nse for some time, and finde it to anawer the requirements perfectly. It leaves the ground well pulverized and smooth, ready for seeding, This roller will work where no other can, except when the soil is too wet. It will crnsh the clods, even when dry, and in that way enahle the farmer to get hie summer-fallowed ground pnolverized ; and when used after sowing, will leave the ground smooth, which will save mnch on his machinery and horses when harvesting is going on. Its use will enable the hay-rake to rake clean, and no clods will he found in tbe hay. The roller will not only he valuable on atrong clay or adobe land, but even on light soil it will prove efficient, eince it is beavy, and hy putting more weigbt on it can he made heavier, if desired. The mark thie roller leaves after it is eomething like the marks of a very fine harrow, which is considered, hy eome, better than a perfectly smooth surface. The rays of the sun will not come perpendicular on the surface. If necessary to break the crust formed after a rain, by rolling over again’ crossway the earth will he easily pulverized. If the roller is not wanted on it, a comparatively light harrow will pulverize it by harrowing the same way it is rolled, the harrow coming across the smal. “combs” and breaking the crust, without working too deep in the ground. Rolled after the fiold is sowed, these small “‘comhs” will give a kind of protection and lce to the young sprout when it first peeps out on the snrface. The roller can be made of any size or length, if desired. One of them in nse is 8 feet long, and the cylinder is 36 incbes in diameter, and will weigh over 1,600 pounds. Most of the weight is in the rollers, and nothing else than the driver and the frame is weigbing down on the axle, which renders it comparatively light for two horses. The patent right is for sale, or contracts for making the roller can be obtained hy applying to the inventor, George Meding, at Reading, Shasta county, Cal. Mrnixc InqErests ry New Yorx.—The efforts made in the East to develop the mining husiness are certainly an indication of the growing importance of mines as an investment. We are hardly prepared to say that mining stocks will nsurp the position railroad, coal mine and other stocks have hitherto beld in the Kast, al. Assessable and Non-assessable Stock. The Now York Mining Record, in contrasting tho two systems, favora the assessment system of mining stocks, Mining incorporations organized under the laws of Colorado and New York are not legally suhjeot to assessment, while in California and Nevada the assessment plan seems to he regarded as the only practical metbod. Complaints are lond against the nonassessable stock system, becauso of its danger to the interests of small investors, There is no doubt that mining, as a rule, requires constant outlay for development, dead work and machinery. This development fund in the nonassessable system is created hy the sale of what is known as the working-capital stock, to effect which every offort is made to get out ore enough to enable the managers to declare a dividend. In the case of the Flagstaff mining company, of Utah, reported in a former numbher of this paper, money was borrowed on the strength of the ore in sight and used in paying dividends.

This hefore any work was done to place the mine on a permanent industrial basis, This is distasteful to the Mining Record, inasMEDING’S IMPROVED ROLLER AND PULVERIZER. though the former are gainiug ground daily. There is something more solid and suhstantial ahout a paying gold or silver mine, and the fluctuations of value are less than in any other investment. It is now proposed to estahlish miner’s hank at New York, which will advance money on good prospective or dividend-paying mining stocks at nine per cent., and to secure the same facilities and case of trading in mining stocks as van he got on railroad and other securities listed at the N. Y. Stock Exchange. It is claimed that no speculation of any account in mining stocks can he looked for until this advantage is offered the puhlic. Catirornta Mininc News.—We are in receipt of inquiries concerning the development of the mineral resources of our State of a more detailed character than we can gather from some of our exchanges. Indeed, we are obliged to rely for news from many localities upon correspondents. We would he glad to receive reports from every county, and solicit from all reliahle facts ahout the mining business, which at the present time is heing so rapidly developed. ew discoveries are heing made, and new methods tried. We desire to afford scope in our columns for whatever information may he of interest to the readers of a mining and scientific journal. Let all who are interested in removing the imputation of California mines heing exhansted write us, and we will give eke credit. much ag foreclosure is generally a speedy result, sacrificing the most of the stockholders, and says a good word for our system hy advising its readers that, ‘‘under cvery aspect we must regard the system of assessable shares tbe safest for investors, and the other system as fraught with hazard of loss of every dollar invested in that way. Therefore, we cannot hesitate to counsel our friends to organize their mining ventures, whenever practicable, only under the laws of a State tbat authorize and regulate assessments. Having thus provided for the mutual ready support and equal contribution of means for the prosecution of the enterprise by all the shareholdere according to their respective interests, let care be taken to select men of unblemished husinese standing for the management, and we conscientiouely believe the larger part of the mining echemes now before the public offer more certainty of profitahle outcome upon the money invested in them than in any other industrial undertakings.” THE Massachusetts State Greenhackers at Boston have nominated Gen. B. F. Butler for Governor and Wendell Phillips for Lieutenant Governor. Ture loss of cotton in Louisiana and Mississippi from the late storms ie placed at 250,000 hales, and of sugar in the former State at 50,000 bogsheads. A ricH vein of eilver is said to have been discovered at Meredith, N. H. ’ Oil from Shales. An important industry has sprung up in Scotland, which is of some practical benetit in this country, where the crude material exists in large quantities. It is the production of napbtha, paraffine and ammonia from shale. As far back as 1848, James Young had a small petroleum spring which was met with in a colliery at Alfreton, in Derbyshire, and when that hecame exhausted he endeavored to ohtain the same oils hy distilling coal, After many trials he was fortunate in meeting with what may now be termed the famous Boghead Cannel, so well known for its richness in oil. Some shale bears a strong affinity to coal, which fact led to a celebrated trial at Edinburgh in 1853, in which the most eminent chemists, mineralogists and goologists could not agree upon the question as to whether shale was coal or not. Some coal, sucb as that known as ‘Curly Cannel” peculiar to the Mold district, in North Wales, gives a large percentage of oil, and at one time was extensively distilled. Some other shales are also rich in oil, and at Barnstaple, far away from any coal field, a bed of sbale, highly impregnated with oil, was found while digging some foundations, It was found traversing the upper devonian shale, but it is met with most extensively in connection with the coal measures, The oil isin great demand, and the price is sucb as to leave a good protit, if we are to judge by the dividends paid by one company and the vast sums made hy a few individuals, wbo have had something like a monopoly of the manufacture since it was first commenced. The valne of solid paraffine is considerahle, and with respect to it, Liehig, the great chemist, said if anyone succeeded in producing it from coal it would be one of the greatest discoveries of the age. This has heen accomplished, ani from shale is ohtained a white, dry, odorless suhstance, portahle, and eapahle of being burned inalamp. Amongsv the various works in Scotland nearly 800,000 tons of shale are distilled annually, producing nearly 30,000,000 gallons of crude oil, from which ahont 12,000,000 gallons of refined oil are obtained, in addition to large quantities of naphtha, solid paraffine, ammonia, and other cbemical prodncts, Our own immense supply of petroleum may not, perhaps, justify the distillation of coal to ohtain products which are obtained from: petroleum, Every refinery turns out enormous quantities of paraffine, hoth hard and soft, which is easily and cheaply refined hy the Byerley process, one refinery in Cleveland, Ohio, alone turning out from 12 to 20 tons of solid paraffine per day, ahout 3 tons of which is soft and used for chewing gum. The oil from shales is hoth colorless and without odor, and this alone may he an inducement. The expense of refining petroleum oil is considerahle, notwithstanding ite enormous quantity, and it requires consider: ahle handling. Whether the distillation of coal would enahle ns to obtain a cheaper product is possible, for we are now paying morefor a gallon of refined oil than for a barrel of crude. Coming into use largely for cooking, we need a cheap, odorless oil, Our resources on this coast, in the way of oil productions, are large, and we certainly ought to he independent of the tin cans sent us from the Hast at a high price. Tucson Nores.—Capt, W. H. Seamane informs us that the city of Tucson has now a population of some seven or eigbt thousand, three-fourths of whom are Mexicans, A large increase is expected as eoon as the weather hecomes cooler. Tombstone ie a very active camp, and is rapidly increasing in population. Some persons claim that a large town will grow up there, but it is predicted that the “hose” town will he located near the San Pedro river, fifty or sixty miles east of Tucson, where the S. P. R. R. will cross that stream, The advent of the locomotive is expected before the first of Decemher uext. Connecrion has been made between the Union and Sierra Nevada mines.