Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-26
SURPRISES BREWING.
Something About to Happen to Stir
Up Real Estate Circles.
HINTS THAT ARE GOOD AS KICKS.
Talk of Wood Worker That Should In
terest Architects and Builders.
A MACHINE FOR BUTTERING BREAD.

There was considerable talk yesterday
about big deals in real estate. It Is known
that several are about closed up and that
others are in progress, but they are sur
rounded by SO much red tape that details
are out of the question. Seven thousand
| dollars foot front on Fifth avenue would
materially raise the standard of value tor
city property, and yet a number of brokers
thought it far from extravagant for anything
between Smithield and Wood streets, running
through to Virgin alley
This is admitted by few long-headed
investors, and if two or three properties within
| the limits mentioned are picked up at S7,OOO
foot no one need be surprised, having been
forewarned. There is the best of authority for
| the statement that a sensation in local real
estate is impending.
Here in Pittsburg, where houses are being
built at the rate of about 5,0OU year. anything
relating to the material used is of interest to
actual as well as prospective owners of build
ings- In discussing the question (which part
of the tree is strongest, and therefore the most
serviceableT an export wood od-worker said yes
terday: ut is the custom in many places to
have joists, plates sills and other important
pieces tested before using. This is a good idea,
VA
much greater importance that the strength of
materials entering into the construction OF a
factory. store or dwelling be as accurately de-
rermined beforehand as those out of which
cars, bridges and some other works are built.
Proprietors of car works, railroad and con-
structlon companies have the strength OF ma
terials ascertained before blow is struck, but
an architect or builder who makes specially
Of such knowledge is hard to:fnd.
This leads to the question, strength con-
sidered. Of the merits of certain portions Of a
tree. Practical tests show that the greatest
strength and toughness lie near the most re-
Gently formed heartwood, or that part nearest
to the sapwood. For this reason alone it be-
comes matter of the greatest importance in
the selection of timber OF lumber requiring
great strength and toughness to have as little
sapwood as possible"
The latest and most unique invention is a
machine for buttering bread. 1t is used in con-
nection with a great patent bread cutter, and is
intended for use In prisons, workhouses, and
other reformatory institutions There is cyl
indrical shaped brush which Is fed with butter,
and lays thin layer on the bread as it comes
from tho cutter. The machine can be worked
by hand, steam or electricity, and has capac-
ity of cutting and buttering $50 loaves of bread
an hour. The saving of butter and of bread,
and the decrease in the quantity of crumbs is
said to be very large.
Mr.. James Russell, of Chattanooga, Tenn,
was in the city yesterday on business con-
nected with the iron trade. Speaking of his
section, he said: 1.-THE real estate business in
the South was never more prosperous than at
present. New towns are being built and old
ones improved. Facts at hand show that
almost every Southern town will construct
more buildings this year than last, and as
rule they will be of a handsome and sub
stantial character. Architects are busy with
plans for number of important improvements
in Chattanooga"