Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-11-12
LABOR SAVING MACHINERY.

recent fairs though limited in comparison will
those displayed at the Crystal palace and othcl
great displays of mechanical ingenuity and i'll
vcntion, were still sufficient 10 convey lessor
and throw out many broad hints which We may
improve on. We do not require much practi
cal knowledge to comprehend that Orr's paten
stavc and shinglc machine is superior to han,
labor, since single machine with two horse:
or small steam power. will produce more
slaves or shingles than twenty men. The sam'
may be said of the two circular saw machine:
exhibited The one ut the Institute is claimed
to produce 10000 barrel staveS or shingles pei
we have reason to doubt the assertion Tn,
horizontal saw, for the same purpose, which
We observed i'll operation on the Fair Grounds
has been thoroughly tested in several parts o
the State. Our practical men can judge for
themselves the relative value of these ma
chimes. That important advantages may be
derived from their use, is evident. But few
cities in the world Use more barrel slaves than
Richmond. In connection with the produc-
tons of the forest, we may also mention the
ingenious steam saving machines. for cut
ting down, and crosS-cuttng timber trees,
for the purpose of making shingles, staves,
cord wood. &C., &C. We consider this
an ingenious contrivance, and one that can be
made Use of to advantage in connection with
either Of the aforementioned shingle or Stavc
machines, or for the production Of cord wood,
where the timber is thick and heavy Another
ingenious mechanical contrivancc on exhibition,
is WyckoH'S boring machine, for the produc-
ton Of wooden pipes. This machine will bore
any sized hole from one to ten inches in diam
ctcr, at the rate Of ten feet per minute through
any kind of timber. j. j. Wcrth. ES1., has
had lot bored for his Carbon Hill mines, for
the purpose Of conveying pure spring or well
water To the engine boilers Those pipes are
generally considered more durable than lead or
ga--pipc, and are much cheaper. We may
mention many other labor.saying machines
both new and in Use in different industrial
pursuits, but have only time to do so hastily
Among these, Bcadley'S steam sizing and dress
ing machine which is an important improve
mcnt over the old style Of dressing frames,
formerly made use of in cotton and woOllcn
mills. The Manchester Cotton and Wo0llcn
Manufacturing Company have recently intro
luccd four Of those machines into their cstab.
li-hrncnt. in place of ten Of the old style Of
frames. and find the saving To he equal To 80
per cent in favor of the improved drcsscrs.
The improved Jonyal Turbine water wheel
is also worthy Of notice. and might be made Of
great advantage by our millcrs, manulactu-
rcrs and others. They are the only wheels
which arc rncctual in back water, are never
troubled with ice and will work well with low
heads and falls. requiring but little room and
can he used in almost any position with ccono-
my.
The different moving and rcapng machines,
and other agricultural implements manufac-
turcd by our friends in Richmond, and in other
sections of the State, are also worthy of study,
as they prove 10 the agriculturist that 4 great
portion Of his most arduous labor. can be
done 10y machinery with much more economy
than hy hand.
The level and undulating eastern counties Of
Virginia are remarkably adapted to those m-
proved cultvators and harvestcrs; and we an
ticipatc the time when the steam plough will
he turning up deep iinrrowS through the mag
nifcent lOwands in this section of the State
We are confident that nothing is wanted but
deep ploughng and intelligent cultivation to
make this the garden spot Of the Union. II
pains us to see so many neglected fields and
unproductivc farms and plantations, when we
know that the fault is with the farmers and not
the land We have an abundance Of fertilizing
agencies from the n,arls Of the tide water coun-
tics to the lime and plaster of the mountains.
WcwiSh To see and to encourage improvements
wherever they are practical. Tho engines
displayed from our workshops, the sewing ma
chimes, card.sctting machines and other
ingenious contrivances. We regard in the
light also of substitutes for human labor
and cxcrtion. They confer the same bo-
ncftS to society and the same wealth
to individuals and tho State, Us comparative
power in bone and muscle, and perhaps, to a
greater extent. 1t would be ridiculous to un-
dcrstand us as implying the rSclessness Of Ia
borcrs; we mean, that those we have, with the aid
ofstcan, invention and ingenuity, could be made
to increase their production tive-fold. As a
shingle machine call produce, with one man,
as much AS the united efforts Of ten or twenty,
using mere physical force so our laboring pop
pulation might. TO great extent, in a variety
Of pursuits, he enabled to increase their pro-
ductve power. The intelligent and the ingc-
NOUS would find congenia employment, suitable
to their capacity and inclinations. We find in
every community, almost in every family, a va
rety Of tempcraments, ability, or inclination.
One is content to follow the time honored pur-
suits of the planter or farmer; another fances
the professions; others are ingenious and in
yentive: some have mechanical turns and are
fond of construction: others are adventurous.
&c 1t is seldom we find community ofpeople
who can dcvote their energies to Il single pur-
snit We want diversity Of occupations to
call forth the energies Of our people and en-
ploy oar various talents according to our incli-
nations Moreover. one branch Of business
sustainS and cnrichcs the other. We cannot
expect to flourish on the raw productions of the
soil nlonc without the aid Of the manufacturer.
Our mountains must produce their minerals
our Goals must reduce them to metals and the
cunning hands of our mechanics fashion them
into tirees, slaves to draw our cars, propel our
ships and mill, and furnaces; to turn our
rude forest trees to things Of use and beauty;
to work our mines and cultivate our soils; to