Connecticut western news., 1885-12-30
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL

Measurements by Captain Nobles have shown that explosion is transmitted through trains of dynamite ct the rate of 20,0G0 to 24, 900 feet per second.
 A sample of preserved tomato exam ined by French chemist seemed to be chiefly composed of carrots and pump kins colored with some analine dye.
 A colossal plant specimen exists in the garden of Mir. J. B. Torry, at Stunning. dale, England. It is a vine or tree of Wistaria which covers wall nine feet high for distance of 3i0 feet.
 Probably the best way to ascertain what particular stone will withstand cx- posture to the atmosphere in any particu- lar locality is to step into the graveyards of the district and observe the condition of the stones employed for monumental purposes.
 A new industry in Italy is the man ufseture of grapeseed oil, which is used for purposes of illumination. The ex- traction is principally effected in Mode na. It has also long been used for sim liar purposes in Germany and the Le- want. Thirty three pounds of seed will yield about thirteen quarts of oil.
 A new method of preserving fruit IS practiced in England. Peus, apples, and other fruits are reduced to paste, which is then pressed into cakes and gently dried. When required for use it is only necessary to pour four times their weight of boiling water over them. and allow them to soak for twenty minutes, and then add sugar to suit the taste. The fine flavor of the fruit is said to be retained to perfection. The cost of the prepared product is said to be but little greater than that of the original fruit. One of the most beautiful processes in enameling, according to a German paper, is accomplished by using gold thread rubbed with the juice of an onion, which causes it to adhere to the surfaces, the figures being afterward filled out ' with enamel. This is the art known as cloisonne. the method pursued being to bake the article in furnace until the enamel exhibits luster or glossy sur ] face. which is an indication that it is melted. The process has to be conducted with care, for if it is overlooked the en- amel burns and falls off; it may also happen that, in places where the enamel burns it thinner, it also burns. When cool, the roughness is removed by care- full hand polishing, with fine sand stone, and lastly the enamel receives its finishing polish.
 l The improved kind of explosive re- gently brought to notice in foreign jour nals, and known as cocoa powder, is said to possess such superior value for many purposes that it has been intro duced in the famous Krupp factory. It is asserted that, with equal pressure, this substance gives greater velocity to ball than can be attained with ordinary pow der, whi'e its smoke is found to be less dense and to clear of more quickly. It is brown, or, rather, chocolate colored. In sundry tests about one-scventh less of it was required than of the ordinary kind of powder to produce given re- suits. The merit which is especially ad. vanced in its favor is, briefly, that oi beginning its combustion moderately aud steadily, and then. when the pro- jectle has started through the bore, burning with great rapidity, and with, of course, tremendous impelling force. The method of preparation and the cost as compared with other explosives ar' not stated.