Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-02-16
is iron in my wheelbarrow and shovel isn't
there 2"
"Of course there is," said viii.

is iron in my wheebarrow and shovel, isn't
there 2"
"Of course there is," said win.
Nell was groaning. go Kate o boys !
There is iron in the wheels of the wagon
and the horses shoes are iron, and you boys
can't go for there is iron in the buckles and
buttons Of your clothes, and presume in
the heels Of your boots. Will was throwing
his arms about in frantic manner and
muttering, "lron, iron, thou cruel hard
hearted monarch"
Five minutes later a fearful messenger
handed this to mamma, We cannot go un.
less King Iron accompanies u.s."
The messenger quickly returned with the
following reply "You may go in his COM
pany, If within one hour you bring me cor
rect answers to these four questions First,
Is iron very useful : Is it very abundant
Name two important iron regions. Second,
Tell briefly how the parts of the kitchen
stove are made from iron ore. Third, Name
three varieties Of iron and tell how each is
made. Fourth, How much is pound Of
good iron worth A pound Of fish hooks ?
A pound Of hair springs for American
watches Why do the fish hooks and watch
springs cost 80 much 2"
We had listened eagerly while Bert read
the note, and moved by our impulse we
rushed to the library, Rob bringing up be-
hind in as much hasteas any one. We were
by no means strangers there, mamma had
taught us and studied with us so much.
Fortunately we knew just how and where
to look and Immediately fingers and brains
were busy. Within the allotted time we re-
ported ourselves to mamma as follows, Nell
answering the first.
"Iron is the most useful metal in the
world. We could get along without gold
and silver, but not without iron. 1t is very
abundant. There is more in England than
in any other country in the world, and more
in Pennsylvania than in any other state in
the Union"
Will, who had visited foundry the sum
mer before and had just been reading de-
scription of how iron is worked, volunteered
to answer the second.
"When iron is taken from the ground il
is mixed with other substances and is called
iron ore. To get pure iron from the ore,
high fireproof furnaces are built, layer of
ore, next layer of limestone, then layer
of coal is put in until the furnace is full and
fire is set 10 it. The iron melts, sinks to the
bottom because it is heaviest, and twice a
day it is allowed to run out of hole at the
bottom of the furnace into cutters made in
sand or iron. When this is cold it is called
pig iron. This is again put into furnace
with coal and melted. 1t is poured into
smooth earthen moulds exactly the size and
shape of the posts of the stove and when
cool is cast-iron like the posts of our stove
Bert, pulling nervously at the buttonhole
of his coat, said he guessed he could answer
the third, and began There are other
kinds-cast iron, wrought iron, and steel.
Will has told about cast iron. To make
wrought iron, pig iron is heated to white
heat, beaten with hammers, and pressed be-
tween rollers, which makes it tough and fex-
ible. 1t is made into chains, wire, etc. Steel
is made from wrought iron by heating again
in boxes of charcoal, which makes it very
hard and elastic. Knives, axes, razors, etc.,
are made of steel"
The fourth was left to me, so ! answered
"a pound of common iron is worth four
cents; pound of fish-hooks from twenty to
fifty dollars; and pound of hair-springs for
American watches is worth sixteen thousand
dollars. The fish-hooks and hair-springs
cost so much because it is great deal of
work to make them from the iron."
Mamma looked pleased and was about to
speak, when Nell inquired if she might read
verse she had found about iron. Consent
being given, she proceeded