Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1897-01-26
FHE ABODE OF GENIUS.
A URiqus Farm In New York for
Inveutorn
HvorythinE Arranged for the Con-
vsnisncs of These Engaged
In Scientific Resssroh-n
Queer Institutien.

vsniencs of These Engaged
In Scientific Researoh-n
Queer Institution.
In the heart of New York state, be-
yond the reach OF tho merely curious,
yet open to all OF II scientific turn of
mind, is the only inventors farm in the
world. There is doubtless no stranger
place anywhere, for it is n farm where
balloons are raised" aerial schemes nre
Matched and air ships are born.
So far as the place ut Frankfort,
HerLimer county, n. Y, is surrounded
by fields and groves which give no sug-
gestion of city life, it is n farm, but its
products are those of which the or
dinany faruner knows nothing. For
these products are flying machines, bal
looms, strange ships that-in theory at
least-dart through the air or skim .he
ground like n bird.
Prof. Carl e. Myers, who has cstab-
lished the unique farm, is like most
men of purely scientific mind in that he
is most conservative in his ideas of
publicity, and is content to live i'll the
midst of wonders with his assistants
and those who, from time to time, are
associated with him. If an inventor has
an idea that he will be able to overcome
the forces of nature and construct Il
mechanical bird, it will no longer be nee
essary for him to spend fortunes to
work out his ideas or die without ac-
complishing his life's object. All he
To Il ,,-in l,n 10 10,
tors farm and find there willing hands
and fruitful brains, as we'll as all ap.
pliances of this electrical age to assist
him.
Almost in the center of the big farm
is n modern country house, standing
amid many smaller buildings, in which
are to be found the materials for every
form of experiment connected with
aeronautics. The lower portion of the
large house is given over to living
rooms. while u third story and attic eX-
tending the length of the building and
occupied by balloon apparatus, acces-
sories and wonderful devices for the
construction of air ships.
The farm was especially selected for
its natural advantages. There are
stretches of level ground. gently ris-
ing slopes and strong declivities. Thus
it does not matter at what stage of work
the inventions may he, Il. suitable grade
can always he found ON the farm at
which trials can be made. If it be am
air ship that has been constructed
where there is u doubt as to the exact
nature of its workings, it can be tested
on the slight grades, so that there will
be as slight risk as possible to human
life or to the ship.
Close to the main house, in glen, is
situated one of the most important fea-
lures of the farm. This is the spot de-
signed for the making of fabric for all
manner of flying machines and balloons
On this half acre of ground, which is
sllirted by the higher ground and trees
the fabric is stretched to receive thG
coatings of gasproof varnish. For thi!
application of varnish n special machine
has been invented and constructed by
Prof. Myers, so contrived as to supply
complete coating Of thick varnish anc
then to remove the coating with the eN
ception of an exceedingly delicate film
difficult to bemcasured by Instruments
One section of the attic of the big
house is workshop containing all tools
necessary for the construction of ap
paratus from wood, metal or textile, in
cluding lathes of various and origina
designs, steam engines, all classes ot
woodworking machinery and kindred
apparatus for making comparative
tests. This is the section in which is
constructed the material for the full
sized machines of the air after working
models have been tested. Another sec
ton of the attic is given over 10 space
and machinery for the construction %
models especially of kites, aeroplanes
wind-borne or self-propelled motors
winged apparatus worked by hand ant
feet, gas vessels propelled by screws oI
serving to support other devices fol
safe trial by their inventors.
In the little buildings scattered ovel
the farm are located the gas engines anc
tanks for practical experiments, thu
chemical chambers and several furnace:
and retorts. Some of these last are 81
strange and unusual that their dp
pearance suggests the laboratoryo som'
old-time alchemist rather than Nine
teenth century workshop.-N. y. Her
aid.
Astronomical Discoveries.