The New York herald., 1871-03-16
SUBSTITUTES FOR STONE.
Tho Grahamite Pavement and tho Ar,incia
Frenr stone.

The Grahamite Pavement and tho Artificial
Frenr stone.
Under the title of the Grahamite Asphalt Pave.
ment new article stands forth delying ana in.
viting special tests The base OF The new pavement
is native asphalt found In rich lode in Richie
county, West Virginia, and although 1t was thought
at first to be s0idlfied petroleum., analysis has
proved it to be asphalrum having an excess OF the
substance known as asphaltne. The article was
called
GRAHAMITE
out Of compliment to General J. L. Graham, on
whose property it was found. The scientific analy-
ses and experiments have been conducted by Pro-
fessor Z. J. De Smedt and when the end OF the
achemic research was reached and the phlloso-
piers stone was found in The bottom OF the furnace
O company was formed TO proceed with the manu-
facture OF the article. General W. W. Averlll Presi
dent Of the company, applied to the War Depart
ment for a committee to examine into the merits Of
the pavement Accordingly General Newton was
requested to conduct the inquiry on the part of the
government. This gentleman has done so. and
Will make his report at early day. General
Averill also invited to witness experiments number
OF experts OF the highest standing on Saturday. at
the residence Of General Graham, % North Washing
ton square. Among the score Of gentlemen present
the HERALD reporter noticed General Gilmore,
General Horace G. Wright. General Gordon
Granger General Mcclellan and his Assistant
Engineer, Mr.. Newton, and Colonel Van Buren,, Mr..
Tracy, Engineer OF Public Works Tor the city, and
Mr. Cornell, President OF the Croton Water Board.
The experiments were conducted by Professor De
Smedt, the inventor Of the pavement, IN laboratory
at the rear OF the house. Mr. De Smedt before com.
mencing his experiments gave dissertation on the
various bases OF which the pavements in use were
formed. The experiments which followed were both
OF an individual and comparative nature. 1t was
first shown that the Grahamite can, by some secret
nlOdLS Operdndf, be made
ELASTIC TO ANY EXTENT,
and specimens were handed round showing that
they have the matter OF elasticity completely IN
their power. The heat test was applied to 1t with
out in any way disintegratlng 1t, while some Of
the san Francisco and the Va, de Trauers
Two pieces Of mastic-one the Grahamte. the other
the Val de TrdreySwer tested for cOheSlvenees by
d the e xe Se
hlbted small hole like that made by pistol ball.
i was next submitted to the boiling test and tested
for salt water with complete success. The crowning
test OF all was Tor Its strongest points,
ELASTICITY AND HARDNESS
pound weight to fall on block from . height Of six.
teen feet. Traprock bluestone, San Francisco as
pnalt and Granamte were submitted to this crusher.
The stones new in all directions; the San Francisco
cracked and broke badly, while the Grahamte
STOOD TEE sBvERE TEsT
resistance @,.o, which
struck on the surface with the edge or a hammer a
dent Is made, which, when struck with the face Of
the hammer nattens to its place without chipping.
AuAOu dito6ClHCt tuC phSCiuCue 10 uhclp
to prove great success and such was the opinion.
many times delivered, Of those who witnessed the
experiments.
ARTIFICIAL STONE.
nCosaats with The congestion Of pavement Is
artificial compound known rs
FREAR STONE
which possesses In great degree all that Is claimed
for It OF durability and hardness number OF
buildings have already been erected Of this stone
and the unfang test OF time appears to be the only
one remaining 10 be added to those which 1t has
already undergone. The company Is under the
direction Of Cornelius X. Garrison president; Nelson
Clements, vice president and general supertnten-
dent and Thomas +. Attix, treasurer.