Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-02-26

Gle WEeSl is greater thaH tiide Vi VIZ IL"
clined wheel, because it revolves upon
two gudgeoDs which must be large IN or
der 10 support the weight OF tho wheel
and team. But the inclined wheel rests
principally upon the lower gudgeon,
which is brought nearly to point and
set in small depression in plate of
hard metal, SO that the surface exposed
to friction is sery small. The vertcle
wheel cannot be well constructed so as
to admit large team to act on it. The
inclined vince! has decidedly the advan-
tage in this respect. For establishments
where great power is required it may be
made double and The wheels large.
And it is equally well calculated for
small establishme where the wheel
may be single and one horse or OK used
on it at time.-Taking every thing into
consideration, think the inc lined wheel
has decidedly the advantage over the YER
tic!e one.
AS respects the draught mill, it has
been question considerably agitated,
whether horse or an OK can apply most
power by draught or by treading Some
adopt one opinion and sotoe the other.
1t is not question which admits of
mathematical solution, but depends alto
gether on experiment. 1t has never, |
believe, been fully determined in this
way, so that it is impossible to say which
method of applying animal power has
the preference in this respect. From
the few observations which l have been
enabled to make, it is my own opinion
than an animal can apply the most pow
er in the course ola day by treading, al
though he can apply the most by draught
for short space of time. But on &C
count OF the equability of the motion
produced, treading has vastly the prefer
ence.
l think it has been pretty clearly de-
monstra,ed, that the best way Of apply
ing animal power to the propulsion of
machinery, is by means Of tread wheels;
and that of the two kinds of these, the in-
clined wheel is preferable to She vcrtic!e
one. Whether animal or steam power
is most profitable to be used for this pur-
pose, | am not we'll enough acquaint-
ed to decide with certainty. But in the
small sphere ofmy acquaintance, steam
mills have not been found SO profitable
as tread mills. Steam mill companies
have sometimes broken, where those on
the Inclined plan have been very profita-
bic, as has been the case in Cincinnati.
From tbs it wnuld seem that animal
power is more profitable than steam.
cannot, however, speak decidedly on this
point, but hope to see 1t tested by eSpe-
riment. cannot but hattcr myself that
it will hereafter be found profitable to use
steam in all those parts Of the state where
plenty of stone coal exists. But were we
10 depend on steam alone, considerable
part OF the state must, for want Of fuel,
remain destitute of mills or other large |
SO that for our state at large,
animal power must be acknowledged 10
be the best substitute for water power of
any now in use. And think / have al
ready proved, that of the diiFeren' me-
thods applying animal power, that by
means Of the inclined wheel ought to be |
entitled to the preference.
Want of time has prevented me from
giving diagrams, and entering into nice
definitions and demonstrations, for the
information Of those who are but partial
y acquainted with this branch Of mathe-
matics. Should what have written be
he means of exciting any Of our mill
wrights to pursue more systematic and
scientific method in the practice of their
my wish wiz be fally accom-
plished.
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