Year: 1859

few DAYS since we witnessedthe operation Of one
of the most singular and surprising machines we
have yet come across. It was the Planters Patent
Cord Wood Cutter steam cross-cut saw, entirely
different from any machine yet invented. 1t was
shown to Us in lot at the foot Of St. Joseph street,
by the agent, Mr.. F. W. c. Cook, where number of
persons were watching its operation with the liyei
est interest. .


The saw is intended for and adapted only to cutting
logs into pieces, or doing all that kind of saving
which may replace the aborious process of choppng
with the AK such saving logs into cuts for cord.
wood, slaves, shingles rails, or lumber for sawmills.
We will briefly describe the machine.


There is a portable furnace and boiler, resting on
wheels SO large and broad that two horses can easily
and safely haul it, to any spot where common coun
try wagon can go. When empty, one horse can pull
it. The engine and saw are detached from the boiler
though connected by the steam.pipe-a long and fex
ibe and curious kind Of hose, which retains the heat
of the steam SO well, that it may be picked up,
handled, and held or moved about without burning
the hand, though in use for hours.


| The engine is small, and the saw is attached to
the piston. Both are firmly jonted to parallel
wooden beam, in such manner that whilst the
beam remains stationary, with its upper end on the
log, the engine and saw descend as the saving pro-
crosses. The position Of the machine is firmly fixed
on the log by sharp teeth under the head OF the
beam, and cant hook, made to clutch under thelog
over the far side, by means OF lever and strap.
There is seat for the engineer or sawyer, attached
to the BEAM The machine being secured to the log,
and the properly elevated the sawyer takes his
seat and whilst with one hand he lets on the steam,
with the other he holds crank with which be can
hold the saw up, or bear it down hard, according to
the nature of the log being cut The whole appara-
tus is model of originality and simplicity and can
easily be carried by two men. The escape steam is
carried off by another piece of hose, lying on the
ground


Any length Of the connecting steam hose can be
used, though fifty feet is as much as is commonly re
quired, and hundred feet is all that can be re
quired The boiler can be stationed in central posi-
ton, and the engine and saw carried about over 9
very considerable circuit.


The boiler is SO constructed as to drive two saws


if necessary, and the saws are of different sizes
Whilst the machine is invaluable for all purposes O
clearing land and cutting lumber for the mills, it il
still more valuable for the cutting of blocks for cord
wood, slaves aud shingles. 1t takes but two men t.
work it, and with these two men, it will cut from
to 60 cords of wood per day. 1t is certainly grea
machine, and should be looked to by all who have t.





hand cross.cnt saw or the ak.


On our return from visit to the saving machine
we stopped at the Mariposa Mills and saw in opera
ton another great labor.saving machine King
patent stavecutter of which Mr. Cook is also agent
1t is tremendous in its operation. large whee
revolves with crank each side of it. Each cranl
is attached to slide, firmly fixed on an inclined iro
bed. In one slide is two sharp blades; stragh
and the other,a little beneath it, concave. One man
the feeder, dropsa rough cypress block on the bed


the two blades go through it like grease one splitting


the block and the other giving the under side of tn


split or stave smooth rounded shape. A secon
man jerks off the staye and saps it on the other be-
whilst the slide is off. This slide flies up with it


curved blade and gives the inner side of the stave it


finish. Thus the machine goes, butting from tn


right and left alternately, and chawing up blocks an
splitting out slaves with the most astonishing eas
, and rapdity. An accessory machine takes the STAY
f through set of side blades, in such manner ths
it is narrowed from the middle to each end with th
!. most perfect proportion. The stave thus finished
: perfectly mathematical in its proportions, and MOI
y regularly and smoothly shaved than can be done