The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-02-22
SUBSTITUTES FOR GLASS.

Three Compositions Coming Into Use In
Europe.
There are several substitutes for glass
in use in Germany, the chief among
them being tectorium, fensterpappe and
hornglas. Tectorium consists Of q gal
vaniZed iron web covered with q gelat-
inous substance and is translucent, but
lot transparent. 1t is described as q
substance hat can be bent without be-
ing broken and is both tough and f1exi-
Bile. 1t is said not to be softened by the
rays Of the sun, is nonsoluble, and is
not affected by severe cold. 1t is n poor
conductor of heat and is we'll adapted
for roofs Oh account of its extreme Zig hit
ness.
When exposed to the Sun, it loses its
original yellowish color in time and be-
comes harder and more durable. One
advantage Is that it can be easily re-
paired III case it is cut, does not break
and is we'll adapted for factory windows
and skylights for lighthouses, market
halls, verandas, transportable buildings
and for roofing.
For ordinary hotbeds and forcing
houses, such as are used by most florists
and market gardeners, there is another
and cheaper substitute for glass in the
so called fensterpappe. which is a tough,
strong MANILA paper, that may be
stretched OIL large sashes or frames and
saturated by painting the exposed sur
face with boiled linseed oil until it be-
comes translucent and impervious to
water. Light wooden frames, 40 inches
in width, and of any desired length, are
provided and covered with the paper,
which is fastened by mailing at the
edges and then painted with ordinary
boiled linseed oil until the paper is SO
saturated that the last coat of oil forms
a smooth, glistening surface, like var
nish. AS soon as dry the frame is ready
for use. 1t admits, sufficient light for
growing plants, does not require to be
shaded in hot sunshine, is light, dur
able, secure against b~reakaRe by hail or
ordinary accident, and, taking every.
thing INTO account, is said to be about
100 times cheaper than glass. 1t is
largely used by florists and market gar
deners in the district Of Frankfort, and
IitiA ScuSlul NtIuICb is strOHSly Ill ltS
favor, although for handsome conserva-
tories, skylights, ETC., it possesses less
durability and none Of the n~eatness aud
elegance of tectorium.
Finally, there is a new product, called
hornglas, which has been recently pat
ented and placed OH the German market.
Hornglas resembles tectorium in appear
ance, with the difference that it is thin
ner, and consequently lighter in weight.
and the insoluble gelatin with which
the wire gauze is covered is whittier and
more nearly transparent than tectorium,
although it may be colored red, green,
blue or any other tint that may be de-
sired for special purposes. 1t is manu-
featured IL two qualities, one being of
heavier wire and with larger meshes
shan the other. The special advantage
claimed for hornglas is that it does not
soften under sun heat and is therefore
adapted to use i'll any climate without
he danger of becoming SO soft and adj
hesive as to retain dust and dirt. It's
uses and general characteristics are sim
liar to those Of tectorium. st. Louis
Globe Democrat.