Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1909-09-10
; Good Books Received
THE REMARKABLE ILL UMINATING QUAIL
tiles OF ACETYLENE.

cred most thoroughly without the
use of technical language, and the
book contains complete and author
itative information, so simply told
the pubic generally will find the
book not only instructive but ex-
tremely interesting.
The use of Acetylene commercially
is an evolution covering ten or
twelve years. The rapid strides
which the new illuminant has made.
especially in country Lomes, is max
ing it a formidable competitor for
favor wherever illuml a ion is
is required.
The spectral analysis of the light
shows it to be practical duplication
of sunlight, so that colors have their
true value when Illuminated by this
brilliant gas. Recently the use of
Acetylene for the headlights of auto
mobiles, its adoption by the Govern
ment for beacon lights, lighthouses,
forts and Indian schools, has given
Acetylene new impetus.
Professor Pond has shown that
the dweller in the country home can
secure this excellent illuminant at a
cost which compares to the advan-
tage of Acetylene, with city gas
when burned in the open flame bur
ner costing a dollar per thousand
cubic feet.
The Board of Engineers of the
National Board of Fire Underwriters
have, after years examination of
the subject, declared that Acetylene,
wnen installed with approved appa-
ratus, is safer than the illuminants
which it replaces, end the National
Board of Fire Underwriters has re-
viSed it's rules in such a manner as
to encourage it's more rapid intro
duction. Calcium Carbide, which
has in some quarters been regarded
as a dangerous substance, has been
investigated and declared without
hazard by the Fire Underwriters.
These facts will come in the nature
of a great surprise to many who
have regarded Acetylene as danger
Gus. In dealing with this phase of
the subject, Professor Pond has
given thorough information rs to the
safe use of Acetylene and the pre-
cautions which must be taken with
this substance. the same as any
other illuminant.
An interesting phase of the sub
ject is the remarkable use OF what is
known as the oxy-acetyiene blow
pipe. BY burning Acetylene in an
atmosphere of pure oxygen, the
highest temperature in chemistry is
evolved practically equalling the
electric arc. A pencil of flame two
or three inches long, and no larger
than the barrel of a fountain pen,
can be drawn across a piece of sheet
metal and literally melts the metal
in two. The process can be rever-
and sheet metal, iron, brass, copper,
aluminium, aud in fact any of the or
binary metals can be literally melted
together and, curiously, the joint is
so perfectly formed that file will
not disclose the point of fracture.
Bridge girders have been cut with
great rapidity, and it is stated that
this simple pencil of fame promises
a revolution in the methods of metal
working establishments.
Another curious phase of the sub
iect is the fact that Calcium Carbide
at certain temperatures has the
power of fixing the nitrogen of the
air and in this way will produce q
fertilizer cyanamide, which is found
equal to the Gillian nitrates. Few
people realize that fifteen million
dollars worth OF CHILEAN nitrates
have been imported into this coun-
try and used by the farmers here
during the past year.
Calcium Carbide is a rock-like sub
stance produced by melting togeth-
err lime and coke in the electric
furnace. is not affected by any
substance except water, and when
brought in contact with water il
gives off rapidly the gas known as
Acetylene.
The bulletin on Calcium Carbide
and Acetylene can be had free by
application, accompanied by six
cents postage, to the Department OF
Cnemestry, The Pennsylvania State
College, State College, Pa.