The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-17


generating Gas and Heat, viz: by water
and naptha. The gas was introduced
into a cooking stove, being formed by
union of the water and naptha, coming
down in separate tubes from reservoir
above. By heat applied in the stove, re-
curing merely match, the water is con-
yerted into steam and is decomposed, fur
nishing hydrogen, the naptha furnishing
the carbon, the result being one ordinary
gas "carburetted hydrogen, We sup
pose the combustion is intensified by the
oxygen set free in the decomposition of
the water. 1t is claimed that this inven-
ton is to supersede all other modes of
generating gas and applying heat The
Scientific american says that on a trial
of it in propelling an engine, one of the
largest kinds, on Long Island recently,
that the engine was driven six miles, at
cost Of u cents. The inventors claim
that gas by this invention will not cost
one-fourth the present price. But if the
invention comes into the general use ex-
pected, of course naptha, and along with
it kerosene and petroleum, will be great
ly increased in price. The large flame
issuing from sort of CRATE at the Fair,
and which produced great heat, was pro-
duced by a combination of decomposed
water and petroleum The petroleum
now costs only 81 per barrel The nap
tina and water-stove for cooking, was ex-
hibited at the fair of 1879, and we can
not account for the invention not coming
into more general use, except by the fear
of the explosion of the naptha still the
inventor, and the company controlling it,
contend there is no danger The follow
ing is published by the company as COM
ing from the "Boston Gas Commission
ers:''
"The following is copied from a re-
port to the city of Boston, Massachusetts,
1876, by commissioners Messrs. Choate,
Osgood, and Wood, appointed January,
1875, and instructed to investigate and
report in regard to Naptha, etc, These
Commissioners say: The statements that
Naptha is explosive and dangerous to
store, are erroneous In fact it is almost
impossible to mix naptha-vapor and air
so as to make an explosive mixture, for
the reason that, when the proper amount
OF oxygen is present. the mixture is di-
luted with so large a bulk of inert nitro
gen that it cannot be ignited' ,"
They say also that the naptha gas is
the richest and purest, without sui phur
or ammonia-that it is from 60 to 80 can
die power, while common gas is only from
l5 to 20 candle power; that it burns
more slowly and gives also better light.
The general conclusion of the public
with regard to our State exhibitions is
that they cannot be attended with COM
fort and pleasure, until there is a supply
Of for lyaaY0i,c Jou,,, h. J,,o4 i.
always is so annoying and so destructive
to nice clothing, at almost every fair
The races contribute to the dust in no
small degree. 1t is to be hoped that this
evil will be remedied when the new res
ervoir of Richmond city is completed.
Ploughing Matches.
The "Albemarle Agricultural Society"
will hold its annual ploughing match on
November 9th, 1880, in the vicinity of
Charlottesville. These contests have
heretofore been very interesting, and
we'll attended. The first ploughing match
was held February 9th 1878, there be-
ing fourteen competitors, q horse and
horse ploughs,) the ploughs obtaining the
prizes were the Livingston, the "O7iver
Chilled, and the "Danner & Newman. 4"
nv oSNOhi 1luudl uQdGCu was NdrCn
9Th, 1879, Gor horse and 8 horse
ploughs) with twelve competitors; the
Livingston" Keller" and Danner &
Newman" took the premiums. The
third match was December 18th, 1879
two class ploughs as before, with seven
teen competitors; the ploughs that took
the prizes were the Syracuse Chilled
plough, " Livingston, "Oliver Chilled, 3"
Roland Chilled, y" Danner g. Newman, :"
and the Gale Chilled" On this last
occasion silver medal was awarded to
the maker of the best two and three horse
ploughs. The ploughs competing were
the Syracuse Chilled" the Remington, 4"
from New York, Livingston, from R.
F. Harris & Co., Charlottesville, "Danner
& Newman" Woodstock, Va, Roland
Chilled, Baltimore, "Gale Chilled, >"
Michigan, "Oliver Chilled" Indiana
Dixie" from Starke & Co., Richmond,
and Keller" from Valley of Virginia.
The premiums were first, second, and
third class, awarded to the ploughs doing
corresponding work.
In the last match, the Dynamometer"
was used on each, and all with great
care, in order to test the draught, and
enable the committee to make the awards
with tho c,roofoet ovootpoee