Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-11-07
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL.

H ~ AAND AAND 49, -sA<AA<s
The Falls of Niagara carry down 10,-
300, 900 cubic feet per minute, equal to
,bout 3, 200, 900 horsepower.
A Swede has invented steam raft for
the transportation of horses and cattle
which travels at the rate of fifteen knots
an hour.
Physicians claim that they have OBJ
served less hay fever, which is a kindred
disease to the grippe, this year than
ever before.
The mechanical appliances for hand
ling the monster guns aboard English
battle ships have lately developed most
omirous defects.
An enormous flow of natural gas was
struck recently at Summerland, three
miles from Santa Barbara, Cal. The
flow is estimated at three million feet per
day.
The experiment of tanning leather
with palmetto roots has been successfully
tried at Apalachicola, Fla. The leather
was as soft and plIable as the finest calf
skin.
The copper mines of the whole world
are being taxed to their utmost to supply
the demand for copper wire and the
other apparatus used in the application of
electricity.
1t has been suggested that the phono-
graph shall be used as a cash register.
Every sum the cashier receives might be
called in the phonograph and there re-
corded, as q check on the accounts.
Apiarists maintain that bees do not in
jure growing or fair fruit. The juice of
the sound fruit is inimical to their well
fare; but though they will not attack
sound fruit, they settle upon bruised and
bldmished fruit.
Experience has shown that an electric
street car can be comfortably heated by
the expenditure of one horse power of
electrical energy. The electrical heaters
do not reduce the seating capacity of the
car, which is kept clear of coal dust and
cinders.
A patent was issued in Washington re.
Gently for steel fence post. 1t is to be
made of steel tubing, seven feet high,
with neat cap and with bands to hold
the barbed wire. 1t is said that these
posts can be furnished complete for
placing in position at twenty-four cents
each.
Experiments have been made at Havre,
France, with luminous buoy, the in.
vention of M. Dibos. The buoy emits
the light, which is produced by phos-
phide of calcium, on reaching the water,
and as it is very powerful, the sea is illu-
minated for considerable distance
around. Spectators in the lighthouses at
Havre saw the glare distinctly at dis
tance of five miles.
Perhaps in no branch of industry have
the benefits of electric welding been real.
lied to a greater extent than in the weld.
ing of pipes for artificial ice machines,
sugar refineries and general refrigerating
purposes. In the old system fifteen min
utes was required for each weld, which
entailed the work of two blacksmiths and
a dozen helpers, and frequently serious
loss of ammonia from imperfect welding
Now the weld is made in two minutes by
man and a boy, and costs two cents in
stead of fifteen, as formerly.
A fireman's electric hand lamp is being
introduced in England. The battery
and lamp are contained in copper case
similar to IA fireman's ordinary lamp, and
fitted with a handle for convenience il
carrying. Very powerful parabolic re.
Electors are provided, and the lamp,
which has duration of from two to three
hours, after which it can be easily re.
charged, forms an important adjunct to
the outfit of fire brigade. The lamps
also suitable for use in mines, gas works,
gunpowder and chemical factories. The
advantages claimed for it are portability,
facility in charging, capability of resting
the battery when the light is not re.
quired, and extreme safety.