Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-10-01
STRONG ANDROss PATENT SCALES.

hoNU n ~ ftosS IA SS<A
Correct and reliable standards of measure
ment by weight in the community are only
second in value to correct principles of deal
ing, and reliable currency. In view of
this consideration, the recent trial of hay
scales at the State Fair, and its results, are
worthy ofnote. We premise by remarkng
that at the State Fair at Montpelier last
year, two competitors on scales appeared and
after trial the first premium was awarded to
Mr.. John Howe Jr., of Brandon, for hay
scales Of the Strong and Ross patent and
the second to E. and T. Fairbanks & Co.
of St. Johnsbury. The same parties met
again at Burlington this fall, prepared for
thorough trial of the respective merits of
the scales, the one party desiring to retain
its new prominence and the other
determined to regain the lost prize.
\ thorough trial was instituted, and the
piled. Five tons OF railroad iron We're placed
in turn upon the scales, and the whole mass
moved first to one side then to the other of
the platform, and an additional weight of
1000 lbs, in 80 lbs. weights, was weighed
while the tons occupied the various posi-
tions. Again 1000 lbs. of iron were placed
upon truck and weighed successfully on
each Of the four corners of the platform and
in the centre of it. Small weights Of from
q to lbs. were then weighed. Men were
weighed singly and together, and single and
aggregate weights were compared to sec if
there were any variations. We are assured
by one of the Committee before whom the
trial was made, that the Strong & Ross
Scale exhibited surprising accuracy, through
all the tests Of this severe trial, while the
other scales, though correct in many cases,
did not show entire uniformity throughout,
especially exhibiting variations Of some con-
sequence when the heavy weights were NOV
cd to the different corners of the platform.
The award of Diploma for the Best Hay
Scales was accordingly made to Mr., Howe.
The limits Of our article do not allow us to
describe the construction of these scales but
an examination OF the principle on which
they are made, has convinced us Of its very
great value The scales, in addition to their
reliability, possess peculiar advantages. They
arc Sinpte; we do not see how they could
be more 50, They are consequently cheap.
They are guarded by IL peculiar device from
injury by sudden shocks, 30 that heavy
weights can be rapidly trundled on and off
the platform without liability to dsarrange
theapparatus. The Hay scales require no PIT,
which in many cases costs us much as the
scales. These are advantages which would
seem to place them beyond the fear of rivals.
We particularly desire not to be under
stood as Undertaking. the scales of Messrs.
Fairbanks, which have undoubtedly deserved
the high distinction they have attained but
we are inclined to adopt the opinion of an
experienced and capable machinist, who
was also one OF the committee before whom
the recent trial was conducted, who has ex-
pressed to us his deliberate conviction we
use his own words,) that % the Brandon
scales must take The lead, and this opinion
is strengthened by the testimony of those
who are in the daily use of the scales.
The Strong and Ross patent scales, Of all |
kinds, from small portable scales to weigh |
lock canal scales, are manufactured at Bran.
don VT, by JoHN HOWE JR., Some OF Mr..
Howe's portable scales were also exhibited
at the State Fair and took diploma with
out eompetition