IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES OF FURNITURE, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF A USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL CHARACTER, BY THE USE AND APPLICATION OF A CERTAIN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION BELONGING TO THE FAMILY OF THE CACTUS PLANT, AND IN THE MODE OF TREATING AND PREPARING SUCH VEGETABLE PRODUCTION, SO AS TO RENDER IT AVAILABLE FOR THE ABOVE PURPOSES
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Prince at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st January 1853.-A Communication.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, ALEXANDER PRINCE, of the Office for Patents, No. 4, Trafalgar
Square, Charing Cross, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES OF FURNITURE, AND
OTHER ARTICLES OF A USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL CHARACTER, BY THE USE
AND APPLICATION OF A CERTAIN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION BELONGING TO THE
FAMILY OF THE CACTUS PLANT, AND IN THE MODE OF TREATING AND
PREPARING SUCH VEGETABLE PRODUCTION, SO AS TO RENDER IT AVAILABLE
FOR THE ABOVE PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the use and application of the leaves of
wood contained in the trunk or stem of the leaves and the branches of
the "oppuntia" of the family of the cactus plant in the manufacture
of articles of furniture, and other articles of a useful and ornamental
character. But before proceeding to describe the mode of treating
or preparing "oppuntia" for the above purposes it should be remarked
that "oppuntia" is composed of fat, thick, and fleshy leaves, somewhat

page_text: resembling the form of a racket, which leaves falling upon each other
form the trunk or stem of the tree, and the same leaves separate or
detach themselves at the top of the trunk or stem, and thereby con-
stitute the branches. The interior of the leaves, like that of the branches,
as also the trunk or stem, is composed of layers of wood, the growth
whereof increases by one layer every year. This wood is not close
grained, but has openings or perforations which partake of a great
variety of designs, and the openings or perforations are filled with azotic
matter. And the above-mentioned leaves and trunk or stem are pre-
pared and treated in the following manner:-The detached leaves of
the tree and of the trunk or stem are scraped with a knife or
other suitable instrument so as to remove the outer surface or scarf
skin, and all asperities therefrom; they are then boiled in water
for about one hour in order to soften or destroy the azotic matter
or substances contained in the wood, after which they are washed
or, rinsed, and the remaining superfluous substances or matter may
be removed by a brush. The body of the leaf now. remains natu-
rally festooned and perforated, presenting an appearance- somewhat
similar to lace work, which, when dry, is firm and 'solid, and is now
ready for use, and niay be employed in the manufacture of the various
articles. But as in some instances it may be found-necessary to strengthen
such lace work, the same may be effected by the use of iron or brass
wire, or by pieces of plain or carved wood, which may or may not be
covered with artificial metallic leaves or other ornaments, or with a
coating of paint as found necessary.
It should be remarked that in cases where the leaves have undergone
a natural change while growing, -by the action of the air and rain
thereon, so as to produce the same appearance as the process of boiling
before mentioned, the leaves may then be used in that state for the
purposes of manufacture, or the ornamenting of various articles; but
these leaves will not be found so strong or durable as when treated and
prepared in the manner before described and referred to. •