The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-01-09

GOEcSLB O6D JUG w 6t6I -1fnCL8J VI .
Fiat Wheels neutrality-suspicious. Ivory
Fixing Child-Labor by the Bones-A
Train Stop for Foge-Fiber from the Sea
Printed Fabrics with Two 6ides-Dan-
delion Milk.
For bombs to light up the sea at distance
from a vessel. the newest form comprises two
cylindrical wooden shells, telescoping together,
the inner shell being filed with unmixed cal
cium carbide. calcium phosphide and gunpow-
der, and having an iron head at one end and an
Orifice for the escape of gas at the other. On
leaving the gun, the outer cylinder at once falls
of. the other continuing the fight alone. As
this shell rises after its plunge into the sea, the
water entering causes acetylene to be evolved
from the carbide and hydrogen phosphide from
the calcium phosphide, and the hydrogen phos-
phide ignites spontaneously, setting fire to the
acetylene. The fame is inextinguishable, even
by a high sea. 1t is claimed that the brilliant
light of 1900 candle-power will last three houre,
and that the bombs can be projected two miles
or more. Though this light has advantages over
the searchlight, however. it is not a complete
substitute on account of the more limited area
lighted.
The great influence Of forests on rainfall is al
ways conceded, but probably few have under
stood that we are so thoroughly dependent on
forests for the moisture that makes rain as is
argued by forestry authority in India. The
water transpired from a forest is computed to
be 900 times the amount evaporated from
water area of the same extent. Assuming the
water surface of the globe to be three times the
land area, and that forests cover one-quarter of
the land. it will be seen that the moisture given
OF by the forests is many times that from the
whole water surface.
ass
A wear of less than 0.05 inch of metal, givinga
fiat spot TX inches long on a 80 inch car-wheel,
is found by Prof. Hancock of Purdue University
to cause the rail to be struck with an energy of
1000 foot-pounds when the wheel is carrying
5000 pounds at 80 miles an hour, while the same
fiat wheel under 55-ton interurban car running
60 miles an hour will give hammer blow of
$500 foot~pounds.
The closest imitation of ivory yet produced is
claimed to result from a new process in which
mixture is made of 100 parts of caustic lime, 800
of water, 70 of phosphoric acid solution of a
specific gravity of LOS, 16 of calcium carbonate,
to of magnesa, of alum, and Is of gelatine.
The materials being thoroughly mixed, the
phosphoric acid is allowed to act on the chalk
for day. The plastic mass, which may be given
any desired color, is shaped in molds, and may
be used for billiard balls. knife handles and an
endless variety of other objects. After heating
a short time in an air current at 320o F., the art
cles are laid aside for three or four weeks for
thorough seasoning. 1t is asserted that the pro-
duct has practically the same composition and
hardness of genuine ivory, and that 1t must
largely take the place of the natural substance
that is so rapidly disappearing through the pass
ing of the elephant.
Children differ in development, and DIR. T. NJ.
Rotch has pointed out that the present method
of regulating child labor by age is unscientiic
and unsatisfactory. One child may be as well
developed and capable of endurance at ID as
another several years older. He proposes that
the X-rays be used in estimating the capacity of
the young and immature, as sufficient study will
make it practicable to gauge physical condition
by the state of development of the bones of the
body. and thus give a rational basis for deter
mining what work may be permitted.
-
The new automatic stop of two English inven-
tors is arranged to shut on the steam of a loco
motive and apply the vacuum break without aid
from either engineer or fireman. An inclined
plane is fixed between the rails, and when the
signal is set in danger, this inclined plane is so
EdAccu Cuab IL COmec III cOuCdCL Win n lever III
the engine that acts on the steam regulator and
applies the brakes throughout the train. In the
tests made it has been shown that train could
be quickly brought to a stop in fog or storm
hiding the usual signals.
Ara
The new fiber plant of South Australia-PosI-
donna Advantageous over many square miles
of the bottom of Spencer Gulf, and in the pre-
liuinarv work 0f the avndica faa formal IN nv
plot it, the growth is found to approach within
three four feet of the surface of the water,
having length of about IL feet. Collecting will
be done with Especial dredge. carrying complete
accommodation for washing, drying and packing
The fiber, resembling jute tow, is strong. almost
uninfammable, freely takes up dye. and is ex-
pected to prove of great value for upholstering
material sacks for corn, bags for ore, ropes,
Irvine, telling, tapestry, linoleum, packing, sub
shutting for cows hair in mortar for plasterng,
calking ships, stuffing saddles, and many other
purposes.
-.
Designs printed on cotton or wool are made to
show on both sides of the fabric by method
lately patented in France by NJ. Caberti. The
fabric, before printing, is passed over cylinders
kept moistened with a solution of gum traga-
canth and material that will cause the printing
paste to penetrate the cloth. The added sub
lance may be phenol for wool, or glycerine or
glucose for cotton. While damp the fabric is
passed through the printing machine. 1t is
finally squeezed between two very smooth roll
lers. which press the paste completely through
the cloth, SO that the print appears on both face
and back.
Feeding dandelions to COWS has been investi-
gated by J. P. Wagner, a Belgian, who finds that
the yield of milk is not increased, as has been 80
widely believed, while butter is impaired in
flavor aud keeping qualities. The presence of
dandelions in pastures is one of many causes of
difficulty in making butter of high grade in the
spring and early summer. A large quantity of
dandelions in hay is similarly harmful. land it is
urged that farmers take the trouble of wedding
their pastures and hay fields if they can possibly
do so.