The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-10
H - Ssa H. t Ee Ia as s: +.

rising from its ashes, and ,by the aid of the
Columbia and Augtsta Railroad, and other
lines already projected, the erection Of cot
ton factories, and msny similar oontem-
plated improvements soon to be made, bids
fair to grow rapidly in population and
beauty. cannot our City Fathers do some
thing to improve the streets, or at least
those which are most frequented. There
are many ways IN which these could be
made attractive Mt n very trifing expendi-
ture, that we will notice hereafter; but for
the present, we content ourselves with men,
tioning one which will not only crafty the
eye, but is becoming more aud moro n posi-
tive necessity. We allude to the fencing in
Of the unoccupied lots in the burnt dis
trlcts. This course pursued with reference
to tho lots on such thoroughfares as Ger
vais, Richardson and Plaiu streets would
not only protect the unsuspecting traveller
at night, and even children in the day time,
from the possibility of full into the open
collars which abound in these streets, bnt
would have an agreeable tendency to miti-
gate the oppressive sense of desolation with
which the sight of the rufus in these places
perpetually inspires the mind.
1t was with full appreciation of these
views that Colonel Milton Cogswell, during
his administration as Military Mayor of
Charleston. compelled the burnt lots in the
city to be enclosed, taxing the owners
pro rata for the execution of the work,
which was perfected by the erection of an
uniform and cheap paIisade along Meeting
and other streets, and the effect of this
economical transformation was felt by every
one accustomed to travel those streets;
everybody said chow delightful the change"
and even the Taxpayers, who grumbled before
the work had been commenced, were loud
in their praises Of his forethought and
taste
Why cannot We do the snme thing in
Columbia? If we ever expect to be n live
people and make our city popular resort
such improvements must be made, and the
sooner the better. If the City Council does
not feel authorized to fence in these lots,
let the people do it for them by having II
mass meeting and raising d subscription for
the purpose. We confess to the belief that
alone. as it was in Charleston, but if they
are unwilling or unable to do it, let it be ac-
complished i'll some other way. At all
events let it be done and done quickly.
POCKET CoRN-SHELLER. One Of the most
ingenious, cheapand efulinventionsw which
has come to our notice, since the "lato un
plcasantness, is presented in the shape Of
pocket corn shelter, patented by firm in
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 1t consists of two
arms Of metal about six inches long, one
extremity of each being clamped together,
and revolving freely around the centre of Il
short wooden handle. The other extemities
are furnished with double row of sharp
spiral teeth, which grind the corn from the
cob that is placed between them, and kept
close by a horizontal screw that regulates the
expansion Of the two extremities so as to
adjust them to the size of the cob. The
handle is hold in one hand, the cob placed
in the mouth of the shellcr, u half-dozen
bare, and the corn lies in the basket before
| You.
The value of this invention can scarcely
be computed. A child of ten years can shell
| from four to six bushels an hour with the
instrument, which is durable, cannot get out
of repair, and costs but two dollars. The
shelter can be used on soft rs we'll rs bard,
and green rs well dry corn, and is adapted
to an ear of any size. Mr.. Ainsley H..
Monteith is the agent for tho patentees in
this city, aud has left some OF the shelters
for exhibition at the establishment of E..
| Stenhouse
| CHEAP BooKs.-From the entefprising
house of D. Appleton &c Co., of New York,
we hayo received copies of "Scott's complete