New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-31
APPLIED SCIENCE.


TIE INCUBATOR FOR HATCuNG OSTRICH EGes.-
practical application of the Incubator" has lately
been made to the Matching Of ostrich eggs at the
Cape of Good Hope and with the most satisfactory
resnlts In the establishment at Hilton, 20 chickens
have been already Matched this season; the total
number reared there since its inception amounting TO
ISIS OF k5 eggs placed in the apparatus at one tme
il is Thought that AZ will produce healthy chickens
EFFECT OF SUNLIGHT ON FLoUR.-lt is main
tanned that the inferior quality of certain kinds of
wheat and rye -four is frequently due to the action
of sunlight on the flour; when in bags OF bar
rels the gluten experiences change similar to that
Occasioned by heating in the MILL The tendency
thus impaired TO it, to become lumpy, and to form
dough without tOughness is similar to that OF flour
from moist grain, of -four when il is too fres or
made from gram ground too early or when adnr oS can
be improved by keeping for some weeks
PROTECTING VINEYARDS by ARTIFICIAL CLOUDS
The idea suggested not long since, OF protect
ing tho vineyards of France during critical PERIODS
VI cold by the formation of artificial clouds that
should prevent excessive radiation from the SOIL
and the experiment was recently tried at Suresnes
In VINEYARD of about so acres there placed goo
iron vessels containing heavy oil. All these being
hghted at once thick black cloud was soon inter
posed between the vines and the SKY: Durng clea5
aud calm weather these clouds remain IN place, and
thus perfectly answer the purpose. The expense Oh
this operation including pots OIL and labor, was est-
mated about 40cents per acre, and those VINO WIT
messed the experiment assured OF its value and
as practical availability
CULTIVATION OF FISH IN bitches AND PONDS
Much attention is being paid in Germany to the
cultivation Of fish in ponds and bitches and it has
been found contrary to the generally received opin-
ion in reference to such localities that they are more
favorable for the purpose than other large bodies of
water apparently fresh and pure in their character
This is doubtless owing to the great abundance of
animal life as well as TO the more decided cOncen-
tIailn of vegetable substances IN the form OF hyng
IiaWts of different kinds, including the aige Inns
produces a constant evolution OF oxygen needed for
the respiration of the fish and allows larger mass
Ot life to be crowded together in given space The
reproduction Of the species is also unusually rapid,
and tie young grow very quickly.
Discovery OF TIN IN AUsTRALn.-One of the
most important discoveries in Economic Geology
made during the past year is that of tin in Aus
tTalia. Tin has been met with heretofore IN Aus
tralia but the recent discoveries indicate far richer
deposits than any before known there Thedisict in
which the metal found is along the valley of the
MacIntyre River on the high plateau of the Austria
Ian Aims The ore occurs as usual. in granite, and
80 disseminated as to form kind Of stOckwork The
everything surface deposits contain large quantities
of oxide OF tin and II IS probable that very large
amount OF ore will he obtained from the diggngs or
washings. In a series Of TRIALS recently MADE ~
pounds Of detIitus was found to yield from three
ounces to pounds of The tin bearing belt is
known TO have more than $50 miles of linear extent
70 that these mines may IN time become quite
Ms productive as those OF Banca or CORNWALL
PROPER COMBINATIONS IN SOAPs.-According to
Mignot perfect soap is one in which the fatty mat
tiers and the alkaline have been so thoroughly com
bined as to leave no excess of either component;
desideratum which is very seldom reached, as the
soap is either too alkaline, in which case it parehes
and dries up the skin, or it is too fat, aud thus
makes the skin greasy so that the dust readily adj
here's to it, The former Inconvenience is the more
serious of the two it very leaves its impress
upon the skin. For this reason soap-makers are in
the habit of employing an excess Of fat, notwith-
standing the inconvenience mentioned. MignOt
now informs that silica introduced into the soap,
in the form of infusoria earth, will tend TO neutral
ize any excess of the alkaline elements of the soap,
asst is soluble both III soda and in potash and 1t will
at the time take mp the surplus of fatty matter
by absorbing it, and combining with it to a certain
extent. InfusOrial earth, as is well known, occurs
an different parts of the world in great quantity and
the United States especially in Idaho, Nevada, and
California.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GLAss-sPINNNG.-Rec i'm
provements in glass-spinning by Brunfaut, as set
forth in communication of Prof. Hermann promise
10 develop new branch of industry. Prolonged
experiments led to the discovery of a compound
which affords threads surprising in fineness even
the single cocoon bers, and apparently as soft and
elastic as silk. This substance has been applied to
variety Of uses but account of the skil required
Ia the workman and the fatiguing character of the
labor especially TO the eyes the articles may yet
be classed as curiosities. When felted. it forms
excellent material for chemical filters 1t is adapted
to figures for brocades &c. and to the manufacture
of clothing ornaments, furniture covers, curtains
carpets lace collars, &c, and can be used In KNIT
ting and embrOidering. In softness the articles
approach silk, and feel ike the hnest WOODEN
inRly light. They are comparatively Tree from
mechanical wear aud are not affected by light,
heat, moisture nor acids, and, by reason OF their
notwithstanding, are peculiarly adapted to ladies'
garments. The annexed prices Of few articles VIII
indicate the present stage OF the manufacture;
Cuffs 81 49, collars so cents to 81 80 watch-chalns,
p cents to ST. ladies' hats. complete "a 70 to S26
Foop FOR DndINUTTvE TRoUT.-FOr long time a
Tpecial object with trOut-breeders has been to OBJ
lain living organisms of sufficient minuteness to
answer the purpose of food for the fry especially
during the period which ntervenes between the alb
sortion Of the yolk sac and the age of about four
months, after which they more able to care for
themselves The material generally employed in
6sh-hatehing establishmentshas been chopped meat.
liver, muscular fber OF other substances, which,
when supplied in small Enclosures, is very apt to
produce founess of the water resulting in the sick
ness OF death of the fish Even under the most fav-
srable circumstances the minute freshwater crusta
seans Of the genera DaphRia CycL0ps &C., are
Jcarcely produced in numbers sufficient for the OBJ
ject desired.
Mr. Frederick Mather practical trout-breeder
Of HOneOye Falls. N. Y, proposes to use the
iarv8 of the common musketo as answering this
purpose better than almost anything else, as they re-
main alive until Matched, and in their different
stages are admirably adapted TO the wants of the
trout He estimates that about two barrels of rain
,Tater will be required for each thousand fry. the
lolf iF,ann IN ITna