IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF TRAINING HOPS, THE SOCKETS FOR THE POLES OR POSTS OF SAME AND OTHER POSTS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR THE BORING FOR WATER
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Monroe Childs, of 16; Mark Lane, London,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
TRAINING HOPS, THE SOCKETS FOR THE POLES OR POSTS OF SAME AND OTHER
POSTS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR THE BORING FOR WATER." -A communication
from abroad by Eduardo Blythe, of Rochester, New York, United
States of America.
Sealed the 11th April 1871, and dated the 13th October 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Monroe Childs
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th October 1870.
I, DAVID MONROE CHILDS, of 16, Mark Lane, London, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF TRAINING HOPS, THE SOCKETS FOR THE POLES OR POSTS OF SAME
AND OTHER POSTS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR THE BORING FOR WATER," to be as
follows: :-
This Invention consists, firstly, of an improved method of securing
the poles or posts to the ground, so that they can be more easily removed
when required, &c., and secondly, of the mode of arranging the poles and

page_text: branch poles to admit of a greater circulation of air. The screw socket
for the poles or posts is formed of metal and has a gimlet screw point,
which extends spirally the whole length of the part which is screwed
into the ground, and is skeleton in form, so that in entering the earth
the soil is not displaced but fills the inside of the screw socket, the
description may be more readily understood by describing said screw
socket as a pointed or conical tube having two or more longitudinal
slots throughout its entire length excepting the head and point, such
tube being fitted outside with a spiral piece of metal, continuous or
otherwise, forming an outside screw, the whole may be cast in one piece if
desired. At the head of said screw is a socket to admit the lower end of
the post which is fitted therein and screwed thereto if required. This
screw post socket being on a new principle it is not confined to hop poles
or posts, but is applicable for posts for fencing purposes, and all other posts
and butts. In a modified form the skeleton screw principle can be used
in sinking for water and similar purposes; secondly, the said screwed
sockets are screwed into the ground about three or more feet apart, and
into the heads of said screwed sockets I fit the lower ends of the posts.
which latter are about five feet long. On the edge of the posts and fitted
thereto is a cap which if desired can revolve, the cap is pierced with
holes formed in recesses, by preference four. Into each recess is placed
a branch pole usually about eight feet long, said branch pole is set to any
required angle, so that the upper end may be tied to the corresponding
end or ends of the branch poles of the adjacent post, the ends of
respective branch poles being so tied together that the whole is firmly
braced together. The length of the post and branch poles can be varied
at pleasure, namely, in sinking for water a round pipe is screwed into
the socket of the skeleton screw, so as to allow the displaced soil to rise
up through said tube as the screw descends into the ground. The loose
soil in the tube is removed either by scooping rods or by an auger, the
latter of which after being screwed into the soil is forcibly pulled out,
thus lifting the soil from the tube. The dirt being thus removed the
pump is applied, when water is obtained by pumping in the usual
manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said David Monroe Childs in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th April 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
MONROE CHILDS, of 16, Mark Lane, London, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors,"
give and grant unto me, the said David Monroe Childs, Her special
licence that I, the said David Monroe Childs, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said David Monroe Childs,.
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times tliereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and. vend,. within the United Kingdom of Great. Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF TRAINING HOPS, THE SOCKET FOR THE POLES
OR POSTS OF SAME AND OTHER POSTS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR THE BORING FOR WATER,"
a communication to him from abroad by Eduardo Blythe, of Rochester,
New York, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said David Monroe Childs, my executors or adminis-.
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly described and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent..
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Monroe Childs, do hereby.
declare the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed,. to be particularly described and ascertained in and.
by the following statement :-
The first part of this Invention consists of an improved mode of
training hops. It is well known that hops are trained on vertical poles,.
but by my improved method the screwed sockets as hereafter described>
are screwed into the ground about three or more feet apart, and into.
the heads of said. screwed. sockets, I fit, the lower end of the posts,

page_text: which latter are about five feet long. On the upper end or head of
each post and fitted thereto I place a cap (see a, Figure 1), by pre-
ference made of metal which if desired can revolve; the cap is perforated
with four holes, more or less as desired, forming recesses. Into each
recess I place the lower end of a branch pole (see b, b, Figure 1), usually
about eight feet long. Said branch pole is set to any required angle so
that the upper end may be tied to the corresponding end or ends of the
branch poles of the adjacent post, the length of the posts and branch
poles may be varied at pleasure, the ends of the respective branch poles
being so tied that the whole are firmly braced together.
Onuas Improvements in the mode of Training □ops, gv.
which latter are about five feet long. On the upper end or head of
each post and fitted thereto I place a cap (see a, Figure 1), by pre-
ference made of metal which if desired can revolve; the cap is perforated
with four holes, more or less as desired, forming recesses. Into each
recess I place the lower end of a branch pole (see b, b, Figure 1), usually
about eight feet long. Said branch pole is set to any required angle so
that the upper end may be tied to the corresponding end or ends of the
branch poles of the adjacent post, the length of the posts and branch
poles may be varied at pleasure, the ends of the respective branch poles
being so tied that the whole are firmly braced together.
Amongst the advantages of my improved modes are,-
1st. Four vines can grow on one hill, each bearing part growing on a
separate branch pole.
2nd. Freer circulation of air and the sun's heat, avoiding mildew,
vermin, &c.
3rd. No slipping of plants down the pole, and the vines will train
with very little attention.
4th. In gathering, injury to the roots by bleeding is avoided as the
plants may be cut near the cup.
5th. The length of the plants can run without a corresponding
altitude.
6th. The yield is increased and the hops are brighter and heavier.
7th. Is cheaper than the old method.
This Invention consists, secondly, of an improved method of securing
the poles or posts to the ground as shewn in Figure 2, which represents
a metal screw socket, the upper part of which (a) is square or of suitable
form to admit the pole or post. The lower part of said screwed socket
forms a conical tube having a gimlet screw point which extends spirally
b, b, b, the whole length of the part which is screwed into the ground.
The said screwed socket tube has longitudinal slots c, c, c, by preference
two, throughout its entire length excepting at its head and point, so
that in entering the earth the soil is not displaced but fills the inside of
the screwed socket tube. The spiral screw b, b, b, may be continuous
or broken forming an outside screw, the whole may be cast in one piece
if desired. It is obvious these screwed post sockets can be used for
other purposes than hop poles, such, for instance, as for fences, hitching

page_text: posts for booths, for sockets for clothes drying posts, and wherever posts
are used.
The third part of this Invention consists of applying the principle
of the screwed socket for the purpose of boring for water. In sinking for
water the socket of the skeleton screw is dispensed with, and a series of
screwed tubes, slotted or otherwise, of uniform diameter, are added by
screwing them into each other as the pointed screw descends into the
soil, forming one continuous tube until water is reached. The loose soil
in the tube is removed by scooping rods and a metal tube similar to an
ordinary gas tube is lowered down inside the said skeleton screw tube,
and an ordinary pump is applied, when water is obtained in the usual
manner.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode
of carrying the same into effect, what I claim and desire to be secured
to me by Letters Patent is, the said Invention for improvements in the
mode of training hops, the sockets for the poles or posts of same and
other posts, applicable also for the boring for water, substantially as
herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawing or any
mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Monroe Childs, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of
- our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
DAVID MONROE CHILDS. (L.s.)