The Portland daily press., 1878-05-28
Maine State College.

It was stated by us few weeks since, that
through the liberality of Elk Governor Co
burn, President of the Board of Trustees,
necessary funds had been pledged for the
establishment of the wise shop at the State
College, and for giving the necessary iustruc-
ton in this division OF the course in mechan-
ical engineering for the remainder of the
term. A late visit to the college found the
shop in operation, and a class of thirteen
students at work under the instruction of
Mr.. Valentine Wallbury-the gentleman who
gave the first instruction in the principles of
the Russian system of mechanical education
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technol-
ogy, when the system was introduced at that
institution. 1t is true the shop has been
started in very modest and inexpensive
way, but it is already giving the highest sat-
isfaction though its existence dates only from
May 4th. An unoccupied and somewhat
cramped room In the attic of the Laboratory
building has been taken for the purpose
which will only serve the use in a sort of tenn
porary manner-fitted with benches and
tools for thirteen students. Three hours
each afternoon are assigned to work in the
shops, and at the time of our visit all the
students-with single exception for that
afternoon-were busy at their task under the
direction of Mr.. Wallbury. The set of tools
used by each student consists of nineteen
pieces, costing $3.50, and in addition to this
each student pays SIS for materials upon which
they work; and so anxious were they to take
the practical work of the course upon which
they have entered, and they each purchased
their own tools, and were also at some addi-
tional personal expense in fitting up their
work benches. This shows the earnestness
with which the students have entered
upon the work, and such earnestness is sure
to produce good results in the future, in the
line of effort they have chosen
What is called the Russian system of work.
shop instruction in mechanics, is Russian
only in principle-that of instruction in me-
chanical work, as against the usual slow aud
tedious system of construction, carried On at
machine shops all over the country; in its
application, and so far as it has been carried
out in this country it is thoroughly American.
The course in wise work commences at filing
to line on fiat surface, then in octagon
shape, next in wedge shape, and then to
making square and oval holes in cast iron;
then comes saving and filing to a template
or pattern, in wrought iron; next free hand
filing with the bench wise; then comes the
lifting of two pieces of cast iron together, as
slides and dove-tal joints; this is followed by
chipping, saving and filing to chamfred and
curved surfaces, and finally to round and
nuted surfaces on cast iron, wrought iron and
steer, 10 complete this course requires 12S
hOoASt enC SluuSuL las Deem IQTOu0l
with it he has been taught the use of every
kind of file, chisel and other tool whose use is
brought into requisition in making the most
complicated machine ever constructed of iron.
All the students work together on one piece
at the same time, finishing one before taking
another. A supplementary course in this
department, as arranged by Mr.. Wallbury.
comprehends soldering, brazing, piping, drill
ing and other operations. The specimens of
work so far performed by the students which
were shown us at the shop, were remarkable
for the admirable and workmanlike manner
in which they were done. Only thirty-sx
hours had been given to the course at the
time of our visit, and it was truly surprising
to note the proficiency attained. The work
of all the students scaled over 90, perfection
being 100.
The friends of the college everywhere, as
well as the students themselves, are to be
congratulated that this, one of the chief and
distinguishing features of the State College,
has been inaug1rated, and that too through
the liberality OF one OF the firm friends of the
Institution. and one deeply interested in the
educational interests of the State. For the
fall term the course in Forge work will nee
to be started in order to fully carry out the
proposed course, but we trust at that time