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stoppages, the average production being 42yds. during the same period.

Steam Boiler Explosions, in an adjoining room,
kindly lent for the occasion by the Wigan Coal and
Iron Company, when a brief report upon the
progress and results of the trials was read, and the
importance of the prevention of smoke and economy
of fuel spoken to by several of the gentlemen
present.

partizans who advocate it as superior to every other. The circumstances, however, are so various under which different boilers are worked at different mills, that it is by no means easy to get at reliable data, and therefore the importance of a careful comparative test.

This being the last meeting for the reading of papers, the chairman proposed votes of thanks to the council of the Philosophical Society for the facilities afforded for the annual meeting; to the local committee and the honorary local secretaries, With this view, boiler makers wore invited to Mr. J. Fernie and Mr. W. E. Marshall, for the very On Thursday and Friday, the 23rd and 24th ult., co-operate with the coal owners, the one party complete arrangements they had made; and to the trial shed was thrown open to as many members finding the boilers, the other being at the expense the several railway companies for the advantages of the Association as wished to be present or to of setting them to work, providing the coal, and they had given in travelling. A vote of thanks send a representative. A considerable number conducting the experiments. In answer to this was also passed to Mr. Whitworth and Mr. Fair-availed themselves of this opportunity, and the invitation, Messrs. Hick and Hargreaves, of Bolton, bairn for presiding. This meeting being perhaps boilers were shown to them in full operation, as on supplied a two-flued boiler with steel tubes : one of the most successful in point of attendance the previous day, heavily fired, without producing Messrs. Clayton, of Preston, a two-flued boiler with the Institution have ever held, it is needless to any smoke, and it appeared to excite surprise in iron tubes; and Mr. Green, of Wakefield, one of his observe that long and important discussions fol- the minds of many that the results could be attained patent water-heaters or economizers. Messrs. lowed each of the papers, which discussions we by such simple means as were then adopted. Petrie, of Rochdale, were desirous of sending one are precluded by the rules of the Institution from On the first series of trials a detailed report has of their patent boilers fitted with pockets in the reporting. already been presented to the Coal Association, flue tubes, and arranged to do so, but the time and thinking that there was much information with proving too limited the carrying out of their BRITISH ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION interest, Mr. Fletcher, with the permission of the very important to try the evaporative power of a regard to these trials which would prove of general intention was prevented. Further, as it was thought THE THE twenty-fifth annual meeting of this associa- Coal Association, prepared condensed tables of the conical water tube boiler as compared with those tion will be held this year at Cirencester, com- results obtained, as well as a brief account of the of two-flued construction, one was purchased second mencing on Monday next, August 10. Earl Bathurst mode of conducting the trials. These tables, how-hand, and set down alongside of the others. It is is the president, and there is a long list of vice-pre-ever, are somewhat elaborate, and will not be issued to be regretted that a still greater variety could sidents. The inaugural address of the president will for another month. not be obtained. The three boilers supplied hardly be delivered on the Monday afternoon, and the memfurnished the full means of settling the very vexed bers dine together in the evening. Tuesday is to question as to which is the best form of boiler, and be devoted to an inspection of the antiquities of the town-the Roman amphitheatre, Roman wall at Watermoor, tesselated pavements, &c. There are

MR. FLETCHER'S REPORT.

this important inquiry. I will, however, give you it may be that we are but yet on the threshold of the results obtained with the means in my posses

before you on the present occasion a statement of It may naturally be expected that I should lay the origin of these trials with the objects proposed to be evening meetings each day for the reading of and the results attained. In complying with this, sion, and trust they may prove a step in the right papers, of which a good many are promised, by Mr.I have put my remarks in writing, in order to give direction, and shall be glad if they are the means T. Wright, M.A., F.S.A., Mr. J. R. Planché, Mr. you the more information and occupy less of your of leading to a yet further and more exhaustive E. Roberts, F.S.A., Mr. E. Levien, M.A., F.S.A., &c. There will be excursions daily; among other places, to Banbury Rings, Fairford Church, Trewsbury Camp, Malmesbury Abbey Church, a newlydiscovered Roman villa at Chedworth, Athelstane Hall, and ancient stones at Kemble. The district those of South Lancashire and Cheshire included, water was measured and the diagrams by which

brief reference to what are termed the "Admiralty time. It is necessary, in the first place, to make Coal Trials." Some years ago, at a series of coal trials made by Sir Henry De La Beche and Dr. Lyon Playfair, all the bituminous and gaseous coals, were very much under-rated; and the Welsh coals, which are more or less of the anthracite class, placed very incorrectly at a much higher rank for evaporative value than the bituminous ones. The ECONOMY OF FUEL, AND PREVENTION reason of this was that in these trials the coals of

abounds in Roman and British remains.

SOME

OF SMOKE.

OME three years since we informed our readers of the inauguration of an extensive series of experimental trials on the evaporative power of various descriptions of coal and forms of boiler at Wigan. As this bears upon the important question of economy of fuel and prevention of smoke, which is one of considerable interest to our readers, we append the valuable report of these experiments which has been forwarded to us by Mr. L. E. Fletcher, Chief Engineer of the Manchester Boiler Association. The object of these trials has been two-fold, - firstly to establish the evaporative efficiency of the South Lancashire and Cheshire coals, and secondly to ascertain how they could be burnt to the greatest advantage in ordinary mill boilers without the production of smoke, as well as to decide upon the best form of boiler, so that the steam user might learn how to save coal and

prevent smoke.

this district, and of the North Country, which are
of the same character, were not properly burnt,
and thus they did not evaporate a fair share of
water. For some years after, all bituminous coals
stood at a disadvantage, till in the year 1855 the
North Country coal owners instituted a series of
experiments on the evaporative power of their coals,
under the superintendence of Sir W. G. Armstrong,
the late Dr. Richardson, and Mr. James A. Long-
ridge, C.E., of Westminster. These experiments
showed that the Newcastle coal would not only
evaporate as much water as the Welsh, and as
rapidly, but also, that if properly fired, it could be
burnt without smoke, and the Newcastle coals were
subsequently placed on the Admiralty list.

series of investigations.

In describing the mode in which these experiments have been conducted it is hardly necessary for me to explain the testing apparatus, since you have this day seen the large tank in which the the smoke was estimated.

the water evaporated was carefully measured and Suffice it to say that the coal weighed, while the smoke was observed and registered throughout every minute of each experiment.

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In attempting to ascertain which of the three boilers gave the best results, it was clearly neces sary to learn, in the first place, the best mode of firing them, and then to compare the highest result of each boiler with the others. In doing this, three modes of firing were adopted—No. 1, 66 spreading" firing; No. 2, "coking" firing; No. 3, "alternate side' firing. Spreading firing is that usually adopted and which makes so much smoke. In this system the coal is scattered evenly over the whole fire, begining at the bridge and then gradually working forwards to the fire door. In" coking " firing the coal is heaped on to the dead plate at the front of the furnace, and after The coal proprietors of this district, however, lying there till coked through, the crest is pushed were still left out in the cold shade, and believing backwards towards the firebridge and a fresh that their coal did not fear competition either with charge of raw coal thrown on to the front of the the Newcastle or Welsh, resolved to institute a furnace in its place. By this means the gases are similar set of trials to those previously conducted gradually evolved instead of being set free almost at Newcastle, and requested Dr. Richardson, of instantaneously in a cloud, as in the "spreading These trials were brought to a conclusion on the Newcastle, and myself to undertake their super-system, while a bright fire is maintained at the 24th ult., being finished off with three general intendence. For this purpose the marine boiler back of the furnace over which the gases pass. field days, so as to afford steam users an opportunity now standing in the trial shed was specially made, "Alternate side" firing was introduced, I believe, of seeing the results obtained. On Wednesday, which is a precise counterpart of the boiler em- by the late C. Wye Williams. On this plan the the 22nd ult., William Fairbairn, Esq., C.E., presi-ployed for testing purposes at H. M. Dockyard, coal instead of being spread across the whole width dent of the above association, with other gentlemen Keyham, These trials, which occupied about two of the furnace is cast to one side only so that one of the executive committee, met the members of side of the fire is black while the other is bright, the South Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Association, when as soon as the fires are burnt through, the who had been at the expense of these experiments, other side of the furnace is charged, and so on. and visited with them the trial shod in order to satisfy themselves as to the success of the trials. In preparation for this all the boilers were in full work. These are of various construction, one of them being of the marine multitubular type, and another of the patent conical water tube, while a third is an ordinary Lancashire mill boiler with steel furnace tubes, and the fourth a similar one with iron tubes. All of them were fired under different conditions, one of them mechanically by Messrs. Vicar's patent self-feeding firegrate, and all the others by hand. Slack coal was used in the furnaces of two of the boilers, including the one to which the self-feeding firegrate was attached, and round coal in the others, while the length of the firegrate in one of the mill boilers was 4 feet, and in the other 6 feet. All the boilers were in full work and heavily fired, yet without producing any smoke beyond a slight trace of a faint colour now and then. After witnessing the experiments with the testing apparatus, and the mode of firing adopted, the company having satisfied themselves as to the absence of smoke-adjourned to a luncheon, provided by the Association for the Prevention of

years, showed that the coals of this district had a
high economic value, and were able to evaporate
11-281b. of water at 100deg. to 1lb. of coal,
without making any smoke beyond a slight trace
of a faint colour now and then. This result is
quite equal to that obtained either by the North
Country or Welsh coals, and was verified by the
Admiralty officers, who were sent down to inspect
a repetition of the trials and report thereon. This
report has since been published, and speaks strongly
in favour of the high character of the South
Lancashire and Cheshire coals.

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Each of the three systems was applied to the Lancashire boilers, when it was found on the whole that with round coal the highest amount of duty was obtained by the " coking" firing, and at the same time the least amount of smoke, though the adoption of side firing appeared of advantage with "slack," and probably both systems might be had recourse to with success according to circumstances. Fires also of various thicknesses were Out of these Admiralty coal trials sprung, through tried, viz., 6in., 9in., and 12in., when it was found the suggestion of Mr Lancaster, the second series, that the thickness of 9in. gave a better result than which you have been invited to witness to-day, and Gin., and 12in. than 9in., so that the thickness hence the foregoing allusion to them. It was would have been increased still further had the thought it might be well to extend the trials to size of the furnace permitted it. ordinary mill boilers as well as the marine, with a firegrates of various lengths were tried, when it two-fold object, viz., to ascertain, in the first place. was found that one of 4ft. gave a more economical how the coals of this district could be burnt with result than one of 6ft., though it scarcely generated the greatest advantage in the ordinary mill boilers, so much steam. It has been a very vexed question and, in the second, the best form of boiler in which which is the best part of the furnace for the admisto burn the coals, and thus to assist the steam user sion of air above the bars to complete the combusin economizing fuel and preventing smoke. These tion of the gases; some advocating its admission are most important considerations. The question at the door, others at the bridge. Both these plans is frequently put, Which is the most economical were therefore submitted to test, and, without form of boiler? while everyone has its strong troubling you with precise figures, it was found

Added to this,

that there was little or no practical difference between the two plans, and that a slight admission of air for a minute or so after charging on the "coking" principle, whether at the firedoor or bridge, was successful in preventing smoke.

These preliminaries being settled, the standard fire adopted for testing the relative merits of the three boilers was one 12in. thick, made of round coal, and fed on the "coking" system, the combustion being assisted by the admission of a little air through the firedoor for a minute or so after charging, by which means the smoke was practically prevented. This mode of firing was adopted on two lengths of firegrate, one 4ft. and the other 6ft., when it was found that with a firegrate 4ft. in length nearly 10lb. of water could be evaporated by 1lb. of coal, and 150 I.H.P. per hour realized by the boiler. When the 6ft. firegrate was adopted 941b. of water were evaporated from 1lb. of fuel, and about 170 I.H.P. obtained from the boiler per hour. These results are without the assistance of a feed water heater.

not realize a higher economy or speed with round
coal than simple hand firing, but when "slack
was used, it was somewhat superior in economy,
but more so in speed.

With

establish the conclusion that the smoke nuisance admits in all cases of considerable abatement, and in most of total removal. As already stated, the only difficulty is in those cases where boilers are I must not omit to allude to the subject of overtasked, and these, it would appear, could be mechanical firing, which is one of considerable assisted by mechanical feeding, or the use of the importance. All present will be more or less steam jet apparatus, while in many of them the familiar with the self-feeding furnace introduced difficulty could be met by resetting the boilers, or years ago by Mr. Juckes; this, however, as yet, renewing the chimney, so as to improve the draught, has been principally applied to externally-fired or, at all events, by additional boiler power. boilers only; but attempts have recently been sufficient boiler power the smoke question is settled. made to introduce it to those fired internally, and With regard to the form of boilers it has been negotiations were entered into for its application found that those of the plain two-flued construction, to one of the trial boilers. It was thought, how-aided by a water heater, are able to develope a very ever, by the patentees that the furnaces were too high result. We have evaporated as much as small, and, consequently, its application was re- 1041b. of water at 100deg. by 1lb. of coal on a fireluctantly abandoned. Messrs. Vicars, of Liver- grate 4ft. in length, and 104lb. on a firegrate pool, have brought out a self-feeding firegrate, 6ft. in length. In both cases this has been done which is applicable to boilers whether fired ex- without smoke, and while evaporating as much ternally or internally, and one of these grates was as 100 cubic feet of water from the boiler in the applied and tested. It proved very successful in course of the hour with the 6ft. firegrate, and 80 the prevention of smoke, as well as in speed and cubic feet with the 4ft. grate, which is sufficient economy of evaporation; but when fired with to develope, with a good engine, about 200 I.H.P. round coal, it had no superiority over hand firing per hour in the first case, and 160 L.H.P. per hour in any one of those points. When fired with in the second. slack, however, it was certainly superior to hand firing both in economy and speed, and equally successful in the prevention of smoke. The constant movement of the bars seems to communicate an agitation to the mass of fuel which keeps it alive and promotes the passage of the air through it, and thus quickens the combustion, which gives this self-feeding firegrate an advantage in this respect over hand firing.

The next step is to compare the results obtained from each of the three boilers, and, on considering the whole of the trials, the following appears to be the result: The patent conical water tube boiler is not practically superior to the plain two-flued, as regards either evaporative economy, speed, or the prevention of smoke; nor is the plain two-flued practically superior to the patent conical water tube boiler. With regard to the steel-flued boiler as compared with the iron one, the steel appeared to have no advantage over the iron, nor the iron over the steel; so that as far as regards economy and speed of evaporation, as well as the prevention of smoke, either one of the three boilers seem practically as good as the These conclusions were based on trials made with the boilers set up with external flues in the ordinary way, but it was thought it would be of interest to check the results, by altering the course of the flame so as to allow it to pass directly to the chimney on escaping from the furnace tubes, instead of passing round the boiler through the external flues. This trial corroborated the pre-management as regards speed of evaporation. vious ones, and the results from the patent conical water tube boiler were found to be practically on a par with those of the plain two-flued. This experiment is interesting in other ways. The fuel did not evaporate so much water per pound, but the boiler developed nearly as high an I.HI.P. per hour without the external flues as with them.

other.

There is another question of interest with regard to the construction of boilers, viz., whether the introduction of water tubes into the flues of Cornish or Lancashire boilers is of advantage or To assist in determining this question, Mr. Clayton, of Preston, went to the expense of fixing four water tubes in each of the flues of the boiler previously supplied by him, so that the same

not.

boiler was tried with and without the tubes.

The result of the trials with the tubes certainly showed that, as a rule, some advantage, though slight, was gained both in economy and speed by the addition of the tubes, but it would require a little further investigation before I could see my way clearly to recommend them as worth their outlay for general practice. In certain cases, where boilers are distressed by heavy firing, they might be found serviceable as an expedient; but where boilers are placed under favourable circumstances, it does not appear that much advantage would be gained from them, and it is questionable whether they would repay the outlay of fixing them in the first instance, and keeping them in repair in the second, as well as atone for the complication they introduce into the boiler.

There is another point of importance in connection with ordinary mill boilers, and that is heating the feed water. It has already been stated that Messrs. Green, of Wakefield, supplied one of their patent economizers, fitted with self-acting scrapers, and the results of experiments with this apparatus clearly showed that it was a decided gain, not only in promoting economy, but also in raising more steam in a given time, so that while the coal bill is reduced, the power of the boiler is increased. The feed water heater is also of material advantage to the boiler, irrespective of the question of fuel, inasmuch as it maintains it at a more equablo temperature throughout, and thus promotes its longevity. Although we succeeded in preventing the smoke without any special apparatus, and simply with the proper use of the shovel, coupled with the admission of a little air above the bars, yet it was thought desirable to try the effect of other means, and, therefore, Mr. D. K. Clark's patent steam jets were applied. This apparatus, though very successful in preventing smoke, did

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I cannot conclude these remarks without calling attention to the great influence of careful stoking simply, on smoke prevention. These trials have proved how very much depends on the proper use of the shovel. George Weekes, the stoker, who has fired the boilers throughout this series of experiments, as well as the previous one with the Admiralty boiler, takes an interest in his work, and considers stoking as his profession. In this way I In testing the comparative merits of the various think it should be viewed. Firing is an art and boilers, round coal was adopted as being more should be treated as such, and not as a slap-dash equable and reliable in its results, and also as random process which any untaught labourer can affording a standard of comparison with the prior accomplish. To a great extent our smoke proseries of Admiralty trials in which round coal had ducers are the stokers. Educate the stokers in been used throughout. After the earlier questions their art and smoke will be prevented. They had, however, been settled, attention was directed should be instructed, in the first instance, how to to burning slack," when it was found that fire without producing smoke, and be stimulated smoke could be prevented in burning slack coal to constant care by a fine on failure, and a premium on success. If steam users were united in the as well as round, but that it was more difficult of movement, the question would soon be settled. A With slack coal, the coking system proved stoker would then require a diploma of competence rather slow in its action, and side firing, though as a "smoke preventor" before obtaining a post, somewhat faster, is yet slower than the spreading; and his livelihood would depend upon his skill. so that although an economical result can be ob. The question, after all, is not one entirely of tained, and smoke prevented, yet the same amount science. As soon as the public become sufficiently of steam cannot be raised in the same time as with educated on the subject to demand the suppression spreading firing. We have found a loss of as much of the nuisance, and stokers are placed in their The as 30 I.H.P. in one boiler per hour when firing proper position, smoke will be abolished. with slack in the speed of coking firing as comquestion is as much a social as a scientific one, and pared with spreading. From this it appears that to exhaust it fully, one must travel into other fields when slack coal is burnt, and fired by hand, leave to other hands, though I cannot help exthan those of material science only. But this I either speed must be sacrificed or smoke made. This may be met by ample boiler power, but will pressing the hope that the meeting of this day, by I fear prove a difficulty in those cases where drawing attention to the importance of the subject, boilers are fully tasked. In these cases the self-will prove a step towards suppressing the smoke feeding firegrate, previously referred to, as well nuisance, and thus of promoting a most important as the steam jet system, promise to be of service. sanitary and social reform July 21. From the foregoing it will be seen that in this series of trials we have taken into consideration the best mode of firing, whether with round coal or slack, with thick fires or thin, with long bars STEAM FIRE ENGINES FOR H.M. DOCKor short, the best point for the admission of the air, as well as the comparative advantages of mechanical and hand firing, also the result of N Monday last the Board of Admiralty paid forcibly injecting air amongst the gases by the inspection steam jets. We have also endeavoured to arrive Dockyard. After the Board had visited the storeat the comparative evaporative efficiency of the house, the masthouse, the steam factory, the naval conical water tube boiler, and the plain two-flued, barracks, and the ships in the basin and docks, as well as the merits of iron and steel furnace a new steam fire engine, lately delivered at tubes, with the value of introducing water subet Sheerness, and manufactured by Messrs. Shand, into the two-flued boiler. I can scarcely consider Mason and Co., of Blackfriars-road, London, was this, however, as an exhaustive series of investi- inspected. The furnace was laid with wood and gations, and there are other trials which it would shavings, and in ten minutes after applying a light have been satisfactory to have made. There is the engine was started with steam of upwards of the Juckes's furnace applied to boilers externally, 80lb. pressure. A jet two inches in diameter was which has its strong advocates; also, there are first tried, and attained a pressure of 100lb. on several recently patented boilers, with deflecting the square inch. After working this for some flue-tubes, which are stated to realize highly time, some stop valves were opened and others. economical results; also, there is the multitubular closed, when, without stopping the engine, six boiler as adapted for mill purposes. All of these boilers it would be of interest to submit to a careful comparative test. I addition to this there is the gas system, which is an enlargement of the plan of coking firing already described. Much is yet left for other investigators, but I trust that these trials will prove of service to steam users, while I wish every success to those who are willing to push them further.

LAVINGTON E. FLETCHER.

YARDS.

jets were all working at the same time. Various other alterations in the jets were shown, proving the power and efficiency of the engine. The trial was in every respect satisfactory. The engine is of the double horizontal construction, and is the largest of its kind, the weight being nearly three tons. We understand that a similar engine, by the same firm, is nearly ready for Pembroke Dockyard.

THE number of visitors to the Patent Office

Though these trials may not be exhaustive, it has been found that smoke may be prevented, whether fired mechanically or by hand, without Museum, South Kensington, for the week ending any special appliance, or when the combustion of August 1, was 5,131; total number since the openthe gases is assisted by driving in currents of airing of the Museum, free daily (May 12, 1858), by jets of steam, and I think these trials fairly 1,346,940.

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IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR BRICK-
MAKING.

NOME improvements in machinery for moulding clay for making bricks, tiles, and other analogous articles from plastic substances, have lately been patented by Mr. C. H. Murray, of Loman-street, Southwark. The improvements consist principally in the novel construction of the die and the cutting table. The object in view is to so construct the die through which the clay is delivered and to lubricate the faces that it will be delivered with less friction, and consequently with a smoother and more even surface than hitherto, and will carry away with it a very thin film of lubri cating material, and will, therefore, be delivered with a perfectly smooth and even surface. We have shown in our engraving a side elevation of the complete machine, as well as the details of the lubricating machinery. The cutting table is exceedingly simple and efficacious; the stream of clay passes from the die over rollers, and when a sufficient length to make ten or twelve bricks has run out, it is cut off by a wire placed near the mouth of the die, and the piece so cut off is passed forward by hand on to the cutting frame. A lever with a segment working a rack is then brought over, which actuates a thrust board, and the clay is pushed through the cutting wires and divided into from ten to twelve bricks, according to the gauge. The bricks so cut are left on a movable hand board, upon which they are removed to the barrow without handling. The improvement in the face of the brick thus obtained is very conspicuous, for, as the clay is pushed through the wires, instead of the wires being pulled through the clay, the edges are not torn in finishing the cut. As the stream of clay is never shut off, as many bricks can be made with one cutting frame as with two, when the stream issues alternately from two orifices. By the arrangement of placing a separate cutting wire at the mouth of the die, the difficulty of cutting true bricks from a continuous stream is overcome.

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In our engraving of the details of the lubricating face of the vessel, as shown at fig. 4. The perforated apparatus, fig. 1 is a front elevation of the faces of the boxes are covered with felt, or other mouth or die of a brick-making machine show-porous material. This fabric will prevent the lubriing Mr. Murray's improvement adapted thereto; cant from running out too quickly, and the oil will fig. 2 is a side view, and fig. 3 is a horizontal perfectly saturate the fabric. These hollow vessels section. a a is the frontplate of the machine, and to which the improve ddie bis attached. The sides 6 of the die b are made hollow or in the form of boxes, and are removable; these boxes b', which are shown detached in front elevation at fig. 4, and in section at fig. 5, are supplied with water, refuse oil, or other liquid lubricating material, which is caused to exude from the hollow vessels or boxes, through holes made in the

which form the sides of the die, as shown in fig. 3,
are fitted in their places, and are secured by means of
screws e c, which pass through lugs secured to or
fixed on to the stationary part a. By loosening the
screws cc, the boxes bb may at any time be re-
moved, cleaned, covered, and replaced without de-
ranging any of the other parts of the machine.

In order to cause the lubricating liquid to pass
through the felt or porous fabric with which the

faces of the boxes are covered, the reservoir d, which supplies these vessels with the lubricating fluid, is placed at any convenient distance above them. The covering of the boxes ¿ is compressed by the clamps and tightening screws c between the fixed and stationary parts of the die, so as to pack these joints and render them perfectly watertight. The clay in passing out of the machine and in exuding from the die in the direction of the arrow in fig. 3 will rub up against the felt or woollen covering of the boxes or hollow vessels b', and will carry away with it a very thin film of lubricating material, and will therefore be delivered with a perfectly smooth and even surface. In our report of

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PRIZES AT THE LEICESTER SHOW.

IN

Deep land wheel ploughs, Ransomes and
Sims

General purpose wheel plough, R. Hornsby
and Sons, highly commended.
Light land wheel plough, R. Hornsby and
Sons, highly commended.
Deep land wheel plough, J. Cooke and
Co., highly commended.

the course of our notices of the Royal Agri- Deep wheel plough, R. Hornsby and Sons,

cultural Show at Leicester, we mentioned several instances in which exhibitions obtained

prizes. But as we could not notice every exhibit on which this distinction was conferred, we think it only fair to the majority of the recipients to append the following complete list of the prizes. The judges in the various sections were as follow:STEAM CULTIVATORS.-J. F. Bramwell, C.E., 17, Great George-street, London, S.W.; E. A. Cowper, 6, Great George-street, London, S.W.; John Coleman, Escrick Park, York; John Rooke, Weldan Grange, Wansford; John Hemsley, Skelton Newark. TILE MACHINES AND MISCELLANEOUS.-H. B. Caldwell, Monkton Farleigh, Bradford, Wilts; J. Thompson, Badmington, Chippenham; Edward Wortley, Ridlington, Uppingham.

PLOUGHS.-T. P. Dods, Anick Grange, Hexham ; G. M. Hipwell, Elmore Lodge, Sutton, Surrey; J. Wheatley, Neswick, Driffield.

CULTIVATORS, CLOD CRUSHERS, ROLLERS AND HARROWS.-T. Chambers, jun., Colkirk Hall, Fakenham; F. Sherborn, Bedfont, Middlesex; W. Roberts, Thorneyholme, Burnley.

PRIZES.

THE BEST APPLICATION OF STEAM POWER FOR THE CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL.

PRIZES.

commended.

SWING PLOUGHS.

General purpose swing plough, J. and F.

Howard

...

General purpose swing plough, Ransomes

and Sims

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Light land swing plough, J. and F.

Howard

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Light land swing plough, Ransomes and
Sims
General purpose swing plough, J. Cooke
and Co., commended.
General purpose swing plough, R. Hornsby
and Sons, commended.
General purpose swing plough, Ball and
Son, commended.

Light land swing ploughs, R. Hornsby and Sons, commended.

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Pair of single winding drum traction en- £. 8. d. Paring plough, Ball and Son, highly gines, to be used as a pair for one implement, being the best application of steam power for the cultivation of the soil, John Fowler and Co. One double drum traction engine, working with a travelling disc anchor, for the second best application of steam power for the cultivation of the soil, John Fowler and Co.

One traction engine, working with clip drum and travelling disc anchor, for the second best application of steam power for the cultivation of the soil, John Fowler and Co.

...

25 0

Cultivator, Hunt and Pickering, highly commended.

CLOD CRUSHERS.

0 Clod crusher, Beverley Iron Works Co. Clod crusher, Amies, Barford, and Co. Clod crusher, W. Crosskill and Sons, highly commended.

25 0 0

THE BEST APPLICATION OF STEAM POWER ADAPTED FOR OCCUPATIONS OF MODERATE SIZE.

Portable engine with windlass, cultivator, anchor, &c., being the best application of steam power adapted for occupations of a moderate size, James and Frederick Howard

Second prize for same witheld. IMPLEMENTS FOR STEAM CULTIVATION,

Clod crusher, E. Cambridge and Co., commended.

ROLLERS.

Roller, Amies, Barford, and Co.

Roller, Beverley Iron Works Co. ...
Roller, Amies, Barford, and Co., highly
commended.

Roller, William Lewis, commended.

50 0 0 Roller, Holmes and Son, commended.

PLOUGHS FOR STEAM POWER, CULTIVATORS,

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Harrows, J. and F. Howard INCLUDING Harrows, Ransomes and Sims Rotary harrows, Ashby and Jeffery, highly commended.

HARROWS, WINDLASSES, ANCHORS, ROPE PORTERS,

&c.

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Drag harrows, W. F. Johnson, highly

commended.

Chain harrow with carriage, Henry Denton, highly commended.

Revolving harrow, Holmes and Son, highly commended.

Chain harrow, E. Cambridge and Co., commended.

TILE AND BRICK MACHINES.

DRAINING TOOLS.

0 0 Brick-making machines, John Whitehead Tile-making machine, John Whitehead 800 Brick-making machine, J. D. Pinfold 700 10 0 0 8 0 0

8

0 0 800

The handsome cup and goblets offered by the Viceroy of Egypt, and valued at about £200, for the best implement for the cultivation of the soil by steam power, suitable for foreign countries, was awarded to Messrs. Fowler and Co., of Leeds.

WHEEL PLOUGHS. General purpose wheel plough, J. and F. Howard

General purpose wheel plough, Ransomes and Sims

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THE ABBEY MILLS PUMPING STATION
AND MACHINERY.

TE last week noticed the opening of the

W Thames Embankment by the members of the

800 Metropolitan Board of Works, and at the same time described the works and illustrated its 400 chief feature-the Temple Pier. After inaugurating the Embankment, the company proceeded by special steamer to the Abbey Mills Pumping Station of the Metropolitan Main Drainage Scheme. The works here are too extensive and too important to be disposed of in a single article or illustrated in one number. We therefore propose to describe and illustrate the buildings and machinery as completely as possible in the course of the present and successive numbers. We commence our illustrations with the chief mechanical features, the engines and boilers, which will be found at pages 110 and 111 of our present issue. 9 The pumping station now under consideration constitutos the last important work carried out in connection with the undertaking, and the dimensions of the machinery, not less than the work it will have to perform, entitles it to the fullest consideration from engineers--if for no other reason as a precedent for future undertakings, and as a guide to the most approved means of carrying out great pumping operations in connection with drainage schemes.

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The station is situated close to Abbey Mills, near Abbey Creek, in the parish of Westham, Essex. From this point, after being raised about 36ft. by the pumps, the sewage is conveyed by three parallel lines of sewers to Barking Creek. At a little distance beyond the station the three lines of sewers are passed over the Channelses river and Abbey Creek; then over Marsh-lane o and the North Woolwich Railway, and so finally 0 to Barking Creek, where it is received in a reservoir 9 acres in area and 16ft. deep, in which the sewage is stored about eleven hours cach tide. The machinery differs in many respects from that at Crossness, especially in the construction of the pumps, which are of the double-acting Opiston class, while those at Crossness are of the plunger type. It consists of eight pumping engines, twelve boilers, and sixteen sewage pumps, one of which we have illustrated. The engine-house is in the form of a cross, two engines being located in each arm side by side, the cylinders being all disposed centrally, with the large air vessel on the mains within the group. The engines are of the kind known as doubleacting condensing beam engines, made according to the most improved construction and design, and perfectly balanced when in and out action, and finished dead bright in all parts usually so finished by the best makers of first-class waterworks engines. The cylinders are each 54in. diameter and 9ft. stroke, with steam cases, valves, steam chests, pipes, &c., effectually covered with double-felt clothing, with intermediate and outer canvas coverings, each painted in two coats of 0 white lead and oil, mahogany jackets, covers and 0 false column covers, raised bottoms, turned 0 nozzles, polished hand gear, and wrought column double-beat brass valves of the Cornish type, standards, shafts, rods, lever, and handles, and brass throttle valves, brass upper blow valves, three-pin glands (brass bushed), brass grease cocks, cast steel piston rods, metallic spring brass pins, expansion joints, bright valve bonnets, pistons of the most improved construction with cast-hardened nuts, waste cocks and waste pipes to carry the condensed water from the cylinders and easily accessible from the engine-house floor, and all other appendages complete. The nozzles are placed on the back of the cylinders, opposite to and symmetrical with each other. The steam enters the nozzles from the branch steam pipes,

Set of draining tools, Hunt and Pickering, silver
medal.

SILVER MEDALS.
Ransomes and Sims turnwrest ploughs with patent

wheel.

Amies and Barford, for clod crusher, fitted with
shafts and patent turntable.

Amies and Barford, combined straw, corn, and hay

stacking machine.
Beverley Iron and Waggon Company, for pair of
patent wrought-iron wheels.
Bryan, Corcoran, and Co., for diamond mill-stone
dressing machine.

J. Lee Norton, patent revolving archimedian screw
J. Lee Norton, patent tube well pump.

ventilator.

Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co., patent combined
liquid manure drill.

H. R. Marsden, patent stone breaker.

which are 10in. diameter, and have brass-faced

regulating valves, worked by means of a bright slide valves to operate both as stop valves and as vertical shaft and a pair of spur wheels put in

W. Smith, for improved grindstone frame for grind-motion by hand from the engine-house floor. ing reaping machine knives.

9 0 0J. and G. Haywood, for chaff-cutter with leather strap and pulley.

50

0 Hunt and Pickering, set of drawing tools.

There are two double-beat steam valves of clear areas each equal to at least 80 circular inches through every part, and two double-beat exhaust valves of clear areas, each equal to at least 120

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