The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-30

machine also during the daytime, and O
transmitting the electric energy thus pro
duced by means of wires to different
points of the farm, where such opera
tions as chaff- cutting, timber saving, anC
water-pumping have to be performed
These objects are accomplished by means
of small dynamo-machines placed at the
points where power is required for these
various purposes, and which are in
metallic connection with the current
generating dynamo machines near the
engine. The connecting wires employed
consist each of naked strand of copper
wire supported on wooden poles or on
trees without the use of insulators, while
the return circuit is effected through the
park railing or wire fencing of the place,
which is connected with both the trans
hitting and working machines by means
OF short pieces of connecting wires. In
order to insure the metallic continuity
of the wire fencing, care has to be taken,
wherever there are gates, to solder a
piece of wire, buried below the gates, to
the wire fencing on either side. AS re-
CARDS pumping the water, three horse
power steam-engine was originally used,
working two force-pumps 81 inches
diameter, making thirty double strokes
per minute. The same pumps are still
employed, being now worked by
dynamo machine weighing four hundred
weight. When the cisterns at the house,
the garden and the farm require filling,
the pumps are started by simply turning
the commutator at the engine station,
and in like manner the mechanical ope-
rations of the farm already referred to
are accomplished by one and the same
prime mover. 1t would be difficult, in
This instance, to state accurately the per-
centage of power actually received at the
distant station, but in trying the same
machines under similar circumstances of
resistance, with the aid of thermometers,
as much as go per cent has been realized
WHAT MAY BE DONE.
In conclusion, 1 have the pleasure to
state that the working of the electric
light and the transmission of power for
the various operations Just named are
entirely under the charge of head gard
ener, Mr. Buchanan, assisted by the or
binary staff of under gardeners and field
lahorers who probably never before heard
OF the power of electricity. Electric
transmission of power may eventually he
applied to threshing, reaping and plough
ing. These objects are at the present
time accomplished, to large extent, by
means of portable steam-engines-a class
OF engine which has attained a high de-
gree of perfection. But the electric
motor presents the great advantage of
its weight per horsepower be-
ing only two hundredweight, while the
weight ola portable engine with its boiler |
filled with water may be taken at fifteen |
hundredweight per horse power. More
over, the portable steam-engine requires
a continuous supply of water and fuel
and involves skilled labor in the field,
while the electric engine receives its food
through the wire Cor the light rail upon
which it may be made to move about
from the central station, where power
can be produced at cheaper rate of ex-
penditure for fuel and labor than in the
field. The use Of secondary batteries
may be resorted to with advantage to
store electrical energy where it cannot
be utilized. In thus accomplishing the
work of the farm from a central power
station, considerable saving OF plant and
labor may be effected. The engine
power will be chiefly required for day
work, and its night-work for the pur-
poses Of electro horticulture will be
secondary utilization of the establish
ment involving little extra expense. At
the same time, the means are provided of
lighting hall and strawberries in the most
perfect manner, and of producing effects
in landscape gardening that are strikingly !
beautiful"