Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-08-26
An Important Invention.

During recent visit at Mortified our
attention was called TO machine for
smoothing stone then in operation at that
place. We were highly pleased with the
working of the machine, and intended
calling the attention of marble workers u
it through the HERALD. We find the
following In the Freeman, and a. il fully
expresses what We would say of the ma
chine. we insert the communication en-
tire.
The Union Slate Company ~ North
field, have just placed in their factory u
new machine for dressing stone. invented
by Francis l.. King of Boston. Mas.
which works to perfection. A. the quantity
and quality of it, work now in the factory
can testify. The company procured the
machine for the purpose of dressing flag
ging, billiard tables, curriers' tables, etc.
A few days since the machine was put
to work on granite with the following re-
suit About thirty-eight feet of Barre and
Berlin granite, roughly pointed off, with
out hammering or chiseling. were placed
In the machine and in four hours annd fif.
teen minutes dressed t. "a perfect surface.
true as die, and smooth a. glass They
then put on sixty feet Of .laie tagging,
which wer. dressed in forty minutes. each
piece being fit for billiard table Man,
OF the pieces contained spots Of iron and
veins of flint which were dressed smooth
and level with the slate
Tse principle upon which the machine
works, renders il impo-sible that the sur-
face should be otherwise than true. re-
gsrdless of hard or soft spots or veins
About one thousand feet Of tagging. in
tended for the walks on Boston Common.
dressed by this machine, are now living
in the factory. which show The quality of
work. One piece measures fifty feet.
Mr.. King informs Us that the machine
works equally well on all kinds Of stone
hard or soft, including the well-knowu
conglomerate or pudding-stone 20 COM
mon in Boston and vicinity, which il con-
sidered almost impossible to dress by
hand, but dressed in this machine il
leaves a sharp and unbroken corner.
Another very important feature Of this
machine is, that it develops the natural
colors of the stone. 1t leaves no brui-e. !
and is therefore less liable to absorb mois-
ture-a matter of the greatest Importance
In building stone or stone exposed to the
weather.
Parties desiring further information in
regard to this machine, should address
the inventor, Francis L. King. No. 40
Portland St, Boston, Mass.
We consider this matter of the creates,
Importance to the people of tiais State.
Our hardest marble can now be ecopomi-
ally dressed. The hardness of the yerd
Antique and Winooski marble. which has
proved q serious obstacle 10
profitable working. is now one of its most
qualities. The harder. the
letter 1t viii stand the action of the ele-
nents.
In our quarries we have a source Of nm.
Wounded wealth. which Is not shared NV
lister states, four-fifths of which. must
'vsr look TO Vermont for marble and slate
or building and ornamental purposes
)ur marble 10 almost without limit in
'sr1ety and quality, and in beauty sur.
'essss any TO b found elsewhere. The
!soand " constantly increasing. and
nsse v no snd 70 the supply.
Our slate quarries may be said 10 stand I
ext IN order Of importance, a. . source '
{ wealth, aad have no rivals in point Of
sahty a. quantity. The marketing of ,
lass Y yst 10 occupy an important place :
4 ne tndustxiss Of the State. Our granite |,
nd soops>oas aFe at least equal 70 any
- 1eand elsewhere. We have an