Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-06
From the Baltimore Gazette.
RANS0MR'S PATENT STONE,

There is at this time company in pro.
ecess Of organization in Baltimore, for the
purpose Of manufacturing plain and orna-
mental stone under Ransomes English
patent, which is also patented for the United
states. After series Of experiments cover
ing period OF twenty years, Mr.. Pansome
mas been enabled to produce stone rivalling
10 every respect the best natural sand stones
now IN use, and superior to all or nearly all
IN homogeneity of structure, in its powers to
resist the extremes of heat and cold, and in
its perfect freedom of cracks and flaws.
The most remarkable thing about this dis.
covery, next to the cheapness of the material
employed, is the simplicity of their manipu-
lation. The materials consist of clean. dry
sand, flint or quartz reduced to semi-liouid
substance Of the Consistence of a light syrup
or molasses, and chloride of calcium-the
latter being the refuse left in the manufac-
ture Of soda.
The rapidity with which this stone can be
manufactured constitutes, perhaps, the most
singular feature OF all. Within the space of
nve minutes the sand can be taken from the
loose heap and converted into a small block
OF SLAB OF stone, which is so hard and COM
pact that 1t will ring under the hammer.
The whole process Of conversion is one that
any Intelligent man can learn in the space
OF a few hours. The dry sand Is put into a
pug mill, small proportion of the slicate
OF soda in solution, is added to it, and the
Two ingredients are intimately mixed togethr
until the soluble siicate is so perfectly diff
FUSED throughout the mass that the latter
wiz cchere when its particles are presssd to.
gether In the hand. As coon as this opera.
ton has been completed, the article thus
moulded is aid upon planks and is watered
with saturated solution of chloride OF
calcium. when by the action of the calcium
upon the silica the process of induration
commences, and in few minutes the mould
ed article is converted into solid stone.
Every species Of plain and ornamental
work, from a monolithc column, to house
single may be formed-the largest pieces
OF stone yet made, occupying In the harden.
ing not more than forty-eight hours. the
smaller ones but few seconds. A statue or
block for paving, the most intricate gothic
tracery for church or domestic architecture.
ped stone for an engine, rustic work, ba.
iustrades, mantel-pieces, vases, cornices.
brackets-in short everything, that tasks the
skill OF the stone.cutter, may be moulded
with equal facility. What perhaps, will be
regarded as equally important any color that
may be desired can be given to this stone.
whilst the price at which it can be sold,
ready prepared for the builder, will be but
little, II any, in excess what the finer sand
stone would cost taken rough from the
quarry This stone, combining as IL does
the Two elements of durability and cheap
ness, Is rapidly growing in high favor in
England, where companies have been formed
ior making 1t on large scale. II has re-
ceived the strongest testimonials from men
OF the highest scientific attainments, such as
Dr. franklin, one Of the Committee of the
Board OF works, appointed by Parliament,
and Professor Ansted, member of the
British Association, and from large mum.
Der Of the most eminent builders and engi-
neers The tests which they have applied
have been thorough and exhaustive.