The record-union., 1891-04-23
Work Progressing on the Guns
for Fort Point.
TROUBLE EXPERIENCED IN GETTING
GUN CARRIAGES
Bulletin Issued by the Agricultural
Department In Relation to the Con-
dition of Crops and Live stock
Reports Point to Excellent Crops
and Stock in Splendid Condition.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

Speclal 10 the 1GECOhD-ONLO
WASHINGTON, April 22.-The two guns
to be stationed at Fort Point are in course
of construction at the Watervliet arsenal,
and, according to a report received to-day
at the department, the work is going
along quite satisfactorily. The main
trouble is experienced in getting suitable
disappearing carriages.
The guns for Fort Point are ten-inch
thirty -caliber, and the department has
disappearing carriage which works an
eight-inch gun very successfully, but 1t
is not at all certain that it can be relied
upon for ten-inch guns, and after the
matter had been considered by the Board
Of Ordnance and FOrtifications it was de-
cided to give three systems test before
making any recommendation Tor the ten
inch gun.
About the last Of May pneumatic gum
carriage will be tested at Sandy Hook,
with a ten-inch gun. The Gordon carri-
age being made by the Morgan Engineer
ing Company will be ready to test, ac-
cording to assurances given the depart
ment, about the first of September. The
Burlington d CroSsier carriage is yet IN
embryo, but is regarded with conSidera-
BILE favor by the department. The plans
have just been completed, and work has
not been commenced. 1t is thought that
ii viii be ready to test by the last of this
year. The last two systems employ a
counter-weight to bring the gun to the
battery, while the first relies upon COM
pressed air.
About the first of next wear the Board
of Ordnance and Fortifications expects to
have before it the result of the expert
mentS of the three systems, and viii be
prepared to recommend to the Engineer
ing Department one which can best be re-
lied upon TO handle the ten-inch guns at
Fort Point. AS soon as the selection is
made the work will be- put on the market
and, as calculated, the carriages will be
ready for use early in 1893, and perhaps a
little sooner.
The San Francisco contractors have a
good chance to capture the work of max
ing the carriages. 1t is not regarded as
especially difficult, and in every promi-
nent city in the country there are plants
quite well enough equipped to do the
work. The Pacific Rolling Mills could
handle the work very nicely.
II is thought ut the Department that
the carriages will be made on the coast to
save the cost of transportation, if for no
other reason.
Some of the officers in the Engineering
Department are quite hopeful as to the
prospects of getting carriage that can be
relied upon to do the work required.
For twenty years the department. has
they have succeeded as well as other
countries, they have not been able to
mount gun in a satisfactory way.
Captain Smith expresses the opinion
to-day that the board. in making expert
mentS this year. would be greatly pleased
with the Improvements so far made, and
that the new guns at Fort Point would be
mounted on the best disappearing car
riages known III history, or ordnance
and engineering.
CALIFORNIA CROPS AND STOCK.
The Condition of Both Reported as Ex-
cellent.
WASHINGTON, April 22-The Depart.
ment of Agriculture's spring bulletin is,
sued to-day gives the condition of Cali.
fornia winter wheat by counties as fol,
lows:
Santa Cruz-Condition good and growth
rapid since the big rains.
Placer-Conditon of early sown very
good and as forward as ever has been
Later sown did not make SO good stand
Fresno-Remarkably fine.
Marin-Looks very fine.
Mariposa-Nery good.
San Luis Obispo-A little backward
but in fine condition.
Tulare-Excellent. Later rains have
been abundant, and the plant is vigorous
Tuolumne-goOd.
Colusa-Never better. Some of the
early winter-sown is rather too rank.
Merced-While somewhat later thar
usual, the condition is good. and the
growth all that is desired to insure gooC
grain. Ii is not so rank, but better feed
ing and filling in stock is expected.
Nevada Heavy, owing to the lat,
rains
Santa Barbara-The early sown has
made too much growth for first-clas
crop. 1t may fall or lodge, as tits termed
Santa Clara-Nery favorable for beau
tiful crop. More than an average.
IOlo-Nery favorable. Early sowI
standing about one foot high. Good colo
and good stand.
Lassen-Present growth fine.
Monterey-Condition fine. Have no
seen better III three years.
Sacramento-Winter sown, backward
Condition fair. Summer fallow in TAI
condition.
Ventura-Present growth thrifty am
favorable.
Butte-Condition, backward; winte
prospect improving.
Calaveras-Early growth, fine; late
good.
FL Characterization and growth wa
never better.
Lake-Nery fine.
San Joaquin-Exceedingly good; graf