The New York herald., 1871-03-16
SUBSTITUTES FOR STONE.
Tho Grahamito Pavement and tho Artificial
Frenr stone.

Tho Grahnmitc Pavement and tho Artificial
Frenr stone.
Under the title of the Grahamite Asphalt Pave.
ment new article stands forth deying and 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 sodiied petroleum, analysis has
proved it to be asphalrum, having an excess OF the
substance known as asphatine. 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 phloso-
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. AverIll Pres-
dent Of the company, applied to the War Depart
ment for 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 an early day. General
Averill also invited to witness experiments a 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,
Granger, General Mcclellan and his Assistant
Engineer, Mr.. Newton, and Colonel Van Buren, Mr..
Tracy, Engineer OF Pubic 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
mencing his experiments, gave a dissertation on the
various bases Of which the pavements in use were
formed. The experiments which followed were both
oil an individual and comparative nature. 1t was
first shown that the Grahamite can, by some secret
nLOduS Operdndf, be made
ELASTIC TO ANY EXTENT,
ana specimens were handed round showing that
they have the matter OF elasticity completely in
their power. The heat test was applied to it with
out in any way dsintegratlng 1t, while some Of
the san Francisco ana the Val de TraUerS
specimens became quite frable at the same heat.
Two pieces Of mastic-one the Grahamite the other
the Val dc Trdcers-w tested for cohesveness by
drawing rod Of glass through them. The va. de
Tfurers cracked In pieces, while the Grahamite
hibted small hole like that made by pistol ball.
i was next submitted to the boiling test and tested
test Of all was Tor Its strongest points,
ELASTICITY AND HARDNESS
pound Weight to fall On block from height Of % six
pnalt and Granamite were submitted to this crusher
cracked and broke badly, while the Grahamite
STOOD TEE SEVERE TEST
was cracked at the edge: In spite Of this
ssnis S which sons PpSn
dent is made, which, when struck with the face Of
the hammer nattens to its place without chipping.
to prove great success, and such was the opinion,
many times delivered, OF those who witnessed the
experiments.
ARTIFICIAL STONE.
Cognate with the composition Of pavement Is
that OF artificial stone. Under this head comes the
artificial compound known rs
FREAR STONE,
which possesses In great degree all that Is claimed
for 1t or durability and hardness. A 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 4. Autx, treasurer.