The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-12-22
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Over a thousand women and girls
in Pittsburgh work in the iron mills,
principally making barbed wire.
"A noted chemist has invented a
solidiied gas which can be Immediately
volatilized for the special use of bal
loonists.
"A patent has been granted in En-
gland for a new process OF purifying
alcohol by means of hydrocarbons. 1t
is claimed by this new method that a
pure spirit can be readily obtained by
removing from the crude alcohol its
fusel oils and other noXious ingredients.
China Grape, as its name would in
dictate. was originally manufactured
in China, where the process was kepta
secret and for long time bafled all
attempts at imitation. M. Dugas was
at last successful in discovering it and
introducing tho manufacture into
France.
W ood-crcOsote oil is recommended
by Captain W. H. Bixby. in the For
estry Departments Report on the Re-
lation of Railroads to Forests and For
estry, y as possessing valuable antiseptic
properties. 1t is an efficient poison to
animal and vegetable life it thoroughly
repels moisture, and its tar acids pos
sess the power OF coagulating albumi-
nous and other fermentable matter.
"A new process has been invented
in Chicago by which cold can be as
readily conveyed to buildings and as
easily controlled as water and gas.
With anhydrous ammonia sixty degrees
below zero can be maintained. Eleven
years ago a chemist named Lucas dis
covered the peculiar cold-producing
properties Of ammonia. Beef can be
solidly frozen after having been placed
in refrigerator cars for transportation.
Lead in the form Of filings, under
q pressure OF 1000 atmospheres, or
thirteen tons to the square inch, be-
comes compressed into a solid block,
in which it is impossible to detect the
slightest vestige OF the original grains.
Under pressure of 5000 atmospheres
it liquities. Tin, when compressed in
powder, becomes solid under pres
sure of ten tons on the square inch;
zinc at thirty-eight tons. anthony at
thirty-eight tons, aluminium at thirty
eight tons, bismuth at thirty eight tons,
aud copper at thirty-three tons.
--Quicksand is composed chiefly of
small particles of mica mixed largely
with water. The mica is so smooth
that the fragments slip upon each other
with the greatest facility. SO that any
heavy body which displaces them
will sink and continue to sink,
until u solid bottom is reached.
/ When particles Of sand are jagged and
angular, any weight pressing on them
will crowd them together until they are
compacted into a solid mass. A sand
composed of mica or soap5tOne when
sufficiently mixed with water sooms in
capable Of such consultations.
1t is claimed that cotton of low
grade is perfect substitution for jute
in bagging cotton bales. The Now
, Orleans Times Democrat says: The
bagging is as elastic as jute, as strong,
as well adapted to covering cotton; it
will stand hooks. congresses and hand
ling of every kind; it will protect the
cotton bettor from dirt and from water,
and affords it ample ventilation, In
the matter Of price it can compete with
jute, and as it can be used again. it will
actually prove cheaper to the planter
than the Indian product.