The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-07-05
American VS.. Scotch Iron.

The idea is common that our Ameri
can Iron is inferior 10 that imported from
Great Britain, instead OF being, as it is.
for most purposes the best in the world.
The Buffalo Democracy-good authority
on such suhj 'cts-thus explains the origin
of the fallscy, and its effects:
There is very general belief on the
part Of our country Iron. Founders, that
Scotch Pig is superior to American
This error arose in this way: As long
ago as 1880, Bent, Of Albany, became
widely known as the manufacturer OF the
best smoolhest and lighteSt hollow Ware
using for the purpose Scotch Pig which
was then made by Hot Blast. Nelson,
the inventor of the Hot blast, was a
Scotchman and introduced his improve.
ment first in Scotland.
The well known fleet OF The Hot Blast
is 10 soften the metal, { if not weaken it, }
and as Bent'S ware, being thin, required
free running Iron, it was found that the
Scotch raw coal Pig had the property Of
lquidity to which there was greater
degree than in coax or charcoal pig.
"The success of Bent's Hollow Ware
manufacture, established in this country
fictious character for Scotch Pig Iron.
And it has cost us millions of dollars -
Scotch Pig weaker and softer than Eng
lish or American, has been lavishly used
for Mill Gearing, steamboat work, ma
chinery and engines, throughout our
country. 1t has been particularly used
in this non.producing Iron State Of New.
York
How much disappointment, delay and
expense, resulting in loss, and frequently
in bankruptcy Of enterprising men Of
small means has been thus produced, no
one can tell But it is a wsl.known fact.
that the gearing and running parts of our
are too soft for durability
Our cranks and shafts are too week to
bear the strain indicated by the tables in
our Hand books Tor mechanics. The con-
sequence ofthis false reputation and great
demand for Scotch Pig. has been the
keeping up its price in the market. We
now see it daily quoted in New York at
$96 to SEQ. while the far better. or
stronger. tougher and frmer.textured an
Lhrscile Irons of Philadelphia at $22 TO
S24 to $26, varying in price according
10 the use to which it is applicable.
"The sooner our foundrymen and ma
,hinists learn the fact that Anthracite
,oal produces better iron than Bituminous
coal, and that our Hematite and primi
i've ores yield stronger iron than carbon
stes, Especially the Black Bands, the
better it will be for their customers.
Scotch Pig is good enough to mix with
Did scrap, and then to be into sidewalk
CRATES, lamp posts and gas pipes But
'or any purpose where strength and firm
ness Of texture are required. none bu.
American Pig should be used. Espec-
ally it is the duty of machinists to use
iron, when by SO doing they
save money.
The Scotch will be extensively used |
in this country for light castings and for
stove work but should be entirely reject
ed for machinery purposes.
Our railroad superinlendents and
steamboat proprietors--our miIlers and
manufaclurcs--should set their faces like !
flint against its use, and go in for the far
better and cheaper American irons.
The best evidence OF the inferior quail.
ity Of English and Scotch Pig that we
have ever seen in print, is in letter from
an officer speaking of the Russian NOR.
tars taken at Bomarsund, being but half
the weight of the English guns Of like
calibre. This shows that the charcoal
Pig Of Russia is of double the strength of
the British Pig.