Part 7

A bridle has been patented by Mr. Benjamin S. Seaman, of Corning, N. Y. The cheek plate is formed with studs on which the blind sheet is adapted to be placed, and secured by a key plate constructed to engage with the studs, the cheek loop being secured to the cheek plate with the same stud plate and key plate which hold the blind.

A machine for bending carriage thills has been patented by Mr. Thomas E. Montague, of West Lorne, Ont., Canada. It is for bending wooden shafts or thills for buggies, sulkies, carriages, and other vehicles, and covers a novel construction and combination of parts and details, whereby thills of greater or less thickness can be bent, the machine operating very rapidly and automatically.

A nut lock has been patented by Mr. Jeremiah C. Butler, of Lexington, Mo. The construction is such that the key may be drawn off the bolt by the nut, and need not be bent out straight into the keyway of the bolt to prevent its locking portion engaging in the recesses of the nut as the latter is being turned off the bolt, the key needing only to be bent very slightly for adjustment into locked or unlocked position.

A trousers stretcher has been patented by Mr. Charles E. Ray, of San Francisco, Cal. The trousers are clamped below the waist band and at the bottom, the clamp at the waist band attached to a spiral or rubber spring, secured in fixed position at one end, while to the clamp at the bottom is attached a strap by which tension can be placed upon the trousers, and permanently maintained.

A log dog has been patented by Mr. Eugene H. Allman, of Mobile, Ala. It is made of heavy wrought iron, with a flat body portion, and having end points or fangs, and is applied to the chain by shouldered clips, all extra chains and dogs being dispensed with by its use, and when used on endless chains it being only necessary to point the logs in the logway, when the dogs take hold and bring them up.

An electrical weighing scale has been patented by Mr. Willis M. Hunt, of Glen Gardner, N. J. Combined with feeding hoppers arranged above the scale pan are valves operated by connection with the foot lever for discharging the hoppers, and combined therewith is an electro-magnetic holding and releasing device, which automatically stops the feed when the scale beam is tipped.

A boot or shoe stretcher has been patented by Mr. Lloyd Nottingham, of Norfolk, Va. Centrally pivoted levers have apertures in their lower end to receive pins with rounded outer ends, and above the pivotal point is an adjusting screw to separate the levers in stretching the boot or shoe, the levers being held apart by locking pieces, the device being simple, strong, and easily operated.

A combined bench and ironing table has been patented by Mr. Daniel H. Weller, of Boyertown, Pa. Combined with a reversible board with covered socket boxes are supports hinged to the legs of a bench, with other details, to make a desirable piece of furniture to serve the two purposes of a seat and a table to iron upon, with compartments for keeping the cloths used in ironing.

A window frame and sash has been patented by Mr. John E. Jones, of New York City. The construction is such that the sashes when closed are to all intents and purposes air tight, and wear and friction are removed from the packing strips, so the sashes may be raised and lowered without injury to the packing, the invention being an improvement on a former patented invention of the same inventor.

A tug fastener has been patented by Mr. Daniel T. Chambers, of Mansfield, Ohio. It is in the nature of a divided button, one portion integral with a shank that goes in the end of the single tree, and the other formed of two limbs, one completing the periphery of the button and the other extending up parallel with the shank and forming a part of the neck beside the button on which the trace is contained.

A tug fastener for single trees has also been patented by the above inventor. It consists of a tilting latch hinged upon a horizontal axis at or near the end of the single tree, with one hub adapted to lie longitudinally with the single tree and the other to project upwardly at about a right angle thereto, making an easily operated device for fastening the traces to a single tree.

A plaster fastener has been patented by Messrs. Forest M. Lampson, Alpheus M. Laning, and George W. Hogben, of Ripon, Wis. It consists of a metallic washer formed of thin sheet metal, slightly convex, and provided with a countersink in the center, formed by the process of stamping, the device being intended to secure plastering loosened by shrinking of the lath, etc., before it becomes cracked and disintegrated.

A combined towel, hat and paper rack has been patented by Mr. Elbridge L. Scribner, of Amesbury, Mass. (P. O. Box 98). It is a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device, consisting of a frame formed of end pieces of wood, connected by wooden slats on the back, and supporting three rods of metal or wood for receiving the articles to be held, the lower rod being designed for receiving a roller towel, and the upper rod being offset or cranked for convenience in placing articles on the lower rods.

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES, CALENDAR YEAR 1885. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1886. Pp. 576.

This is a carefully compiled volume, giving the statistics for mineral products in the United States. Coal, coke, petroleum, and natural gas are first treated of; the metals, from iron to zirconium, come next. Under aluminum the work of Col. Frishmuth, of Philadelphia, and of the Cowles Smelting Company, of Cleveland, are noted. In view of the demand for zirconium pencils for the oxyhydrogen light, the section on the sources and preparation of the oxide, by Mr. David T. Ray, is of special interest. Other subjects treated are structural materials, abrasive materials (buhr stones, etc.), precious stones, fertilizers, glass materials, and, under many other headings, a complete review of the titular subject appears. We also note a section of much interest on mineral paints, by Mr. Marcus Benjamin, F.C.S. In it the preparation of barytes as an adulterant for paints is described at some length. In some instances an elaborate explanation of the classification of paints as adopted is given. In other cases it is entirely omitted. The first system is certainly preferable. A very full index closes the work. It can be had on application to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C., the cost of printing and binding (40 cents) being at the same time remitted.

Business and Personal.

_The charge for Insertion under this head is One Dollar a line for each insertion; about eight words to a line. Advertisements must be received at publication office as early as Thursday morning to appear in next issue._

Best tempering fluid known--Mercury, potash, and hydrochloral. $2.00 per gallon. Samples, 25c. Address Chemical Works, New Albany, Ind.

Hodges' universal angle union makes pipe connection at any angle. Rollstone Machine Co., Fitchburg, Mass.

To makers of water wheels, current wheels, and horizontal turbines--Please address W. H. Garlick, Calumet, Ohio.

Sphero! A new and original game; an out-door sport; unlike any other. Apparatus of wood, simple, inexpensive. Packed like croquet, and cost to manufacture about the same. Patent pending. Rights, etc. Address J. M. Hughes, Brooklyn P. O., N. Y.

The H. W. Johns Manufacturing Co., 87 Maiden Lane, N. Y., will send to any address in the United States, postage prepaid, a trial package of ¼ pound of asbestos wick packing and 1½ pounds of asbestos piston rod packing, on receipt of one dollar; or ¼ pound of asbestos wick packing and 3½ pounds of asbestos piston rod packing, on receipt of two dollars. Give address in full--name, town or city, county, and State. The H. W. Johns asbestos packings are the best and most economical made.

For Sale--Ivory button works. Large, well lighted building; 20 H.P. engine; capacity, 200 gross per day; doing splendid business; plenty of cheap labor. Price, only $3,000. Address T. Bergy, Caledonia, Mich.

Wanted--A pushing man, capable of taking charge of a shop for building engines. A fine chance for a skilled mechanic. Address, with references, etc., lock box 17, York, Pa.

Blake's Improved Belt Studs are the best fastening for Leather and Rubber Belting. Greene, Tweed & Co., 83 Chambers St., New York.

Wanted--Tool agents in shops. Outfit free. E. H. Randall & Co., 154 Lake St., Chicago, Ill.

_Link Belting_ and Wheels. Link Belt M. Co., Chicago.

The _Railroad Gazette_, handsomely illustrated, published weekly, at 73 Broadway, New York. Specimen copies free. Send for catalogue of railroad books.

_Protection for Watches._

Anti-magnetic shields--an absolute protection from all electric and magnetic influences. Can be applied to any watch. Experimental exhibition and explanation at "Anti-Magnetic Shield & Watch Case Co.," 18 John St., New York. F. S. Giles, Agt., or Giles Bro. & Co., Chicago, where full assortment of Anti-Magnetic Watches can be had. Send for full descriptive circular.

Woodworking Machinery of all kinds. The Bentel & Margedant Co., 116 Fourth St., Hamilton, O.

Guild & Garrison's Steam Pump Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. Pumps for liquids, air, and gases. New catalogue now ready.

Concrete patents for sale. E. L. Ransome, S. F., Cal.

The Knowles Steam Pump Works, 44 Washington St., Boston, and 93 Liberty St., New York, have just issued a new catalogue, in which are many new and improved forms of Pumping Machinery of the single and duplex, steam and power type. This catalogue will be mailed free of charge on application.

Presses & Dies. Ferracute Mach. Co., Bridgeton, N. J.

Nickel Plating.--Sole manufacturers cast nickel anodes, pure nickel salts, polishing compositions, etc. $100 "_Little Wonder_." A perfect Electro Plating Machine. Sole manufacturers of the new Dip Lacquer Kristaline. Complete outfit for plating, etc. Hanson, Van Winkle & Co., Newark, N. J., and 92 and 94 Liberty St., New York.

Iron Planer, Lathe, Drill, and other machine tools of modern design. New Haven Mfg. Co., New Haven, Conn.

Supplement Catalogue.--Persons in pursuit of information of any special engineering, mechanical, or scientific subject, can have catalogue of contents of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT sent to them free. The SUPPLEMENT contains lengthy articles embracing the whole range of engineering, mechanics, and physical science. Address Munn & Co., Publishers, New York.

Planing and Matching Machines. All kinds Wood Working Machinery. C. B. Rogers & Co., Norwich, Conn.

Billings' Drop Forged Steel C Clamps. Drop Forgings, all kinds. Billings & Spencer Co., Hartford, Conn.

Curtis Pressure Regulator and Steam Trap. See p. 45.

Chucks--over 100 different kinds and sizes in stock. Specials made to order. Cushman Chuck Co., Hartford, Ct.

The Improved Hydraulic Jacks, Punches, and Tube Expanders. R. Dudgeon, 24 Columbia St., New York.

Hoisting Engines, Friction Clutch Pulleys, Cut-off Couplings. D. Frisbie & Co., 112 Liberty St., New York.

If an invention has not been patented in the United States for more than one year, it may still be patented in Canada. Cost for Canadian patent, $40. Various other foreign patents may also be obtained. For instructions address Munn & Co., SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN patent agency, 361 Broadway, New York.

Veneer Machines, with latest improvements. Farrel Fdry. Mach. Co., Ansonia, Conn. Send for circular.

Tight and Slack Barrel Machinery a specialty. John Greenwood & Co., Rochester, N. Y. See illus. adv., p. 28.

Walrus, Bull Neck, and Buffalo Leather for polishing emery, glue, composition, Polishers' Supplies. Greene, Tweed & Co., New York city.

_Catarrh Cured._

A clergyman, after years of suffering from that loathsome disease, catarrh, and vainly trying every known remedy, at last found a prescription which completely cured and saved him from death. Any sufferer from this dreadful disease sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Dr. Lawrence, 212 East 9th St., New York, will receive the recipe free of charge.

Lick Telescope and all smaller sizes built by Warner & Swasey, Cleveland, Ohio.

Send for catalogue of Scientific Books for sale by Munn & Co., 361 Broadway, N. Y. Free on application.

Notes & Queries

HINTS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

=Names and Address= must accompany all letters, or no attention will be paid thereto. This is for our information, and not for publication.

=References= to former articles or answers should give date of paper and page or number of question.

=Inquiries= not answered in reasonable time should be repeated; correspondents will bear in mind that some answers require not a little research, and, though we endeavor to reply to all, either by letter or in this department, each must take his turn.

=Special Written Information= on matters of personal rather than general interest cannot be expected without remuneration.

=Scientific American Supplements= referred to may be had at the office. Price 10 cents each.

=Books= referred to promptly supplied on receipt of price.

=Minerals= sent for examination should be distinctly marked or labeled.

* * * * *

(1) L. M. W. asks (1) a receipt for marsh mallows, as made by confectioners. A. Dissolve one-half pound of gum arabic in one pint of water, strain and add one half pound of fine sugar, and place over the fire, stirring constantly until the sirup is dissolved, and all of the consistency of honey. Add gradually the whites of four eggs well beaten. Stir the mixture until it becomes somewhat thin and does not adhere to the finger. Flavor to taste and pour into a tin slightly dusted with powdered starch, and when cool divide into small squares. 2. The title of a good veterinary journal. A. _American Veterinary Review_, New York. 3. The formula for a spavin cure? A. Take of sweet oil 4 ounces, spirits of turpentine 2 ounces, oil of stone 1 ounce. Mix and apply three times per day. 4. A receipt for a wash that will prevent rabbits from injuring the bark of fruit trees. A. We know of nothing good for this purpose.

(2) A. L. K. asks how common fat can be rendered into tallow in an open kettle. A. Keep the tallow melted for some time, along with about two per cent of sulphuric acid largely diluted with water, employing constant agitation, and allowing the whole to cool slowly; then remelt the cake with a large quantity of hot water, and wash well.

(3) W. C. B. asks about the process and kind of machinery used in preparing raw sienna for paint. A. The raw sienna is thrown directly on the hearth of a reverberatory furnace and kept thoroughly raked until it assumes a proper color. Very little, if any, sienna is known to be burnt in this country.

(4) W. M. M. asks for some transparent paint suitable to paint on tracing muslin. A. You must use a transparent varnish such as the following: Dissolve 30 parts of copal and 2 parts of camphor in 120 parts of oil of turpentine and 30 parts of oil of lavender. Use lakes, gamboge, Prussian blue, and the other transparent colors, mixed with the vehicle.

(5) S. S. asks a receipt for black heads. A. Cover the parts afflicted with a pomade consisting of kaolin 4 parts, glycerine 3 parts, acetic acid 2 parts, with the addition of a small quantity of ethereal oil. See SUPPLEMENT, No. 542.

(6) W. L. asks (1) a cure for frost bitten feet. A. For frost bites, rub the affected parts with pure oil of peppermint. It will also prevent the after effect of chilblains. Care should be taken to use only the pure oil, and not the essence of peppermint, as the essence will not have the desired effect. 2. How plate glass is made. A. See SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT, No. 340.

(7) A. T.--Hard rubber is a very good insulator; gutta percha is also very good, and can be softened by boiling water and given any desired shape.

(8) J. H. S. wants a good receipt to prevent hair coming out. A. Scald black tea, 2 ounces, with 1 gallon of boiling water, strain, and add 3 ounces glycerine, tincture cantharides ½ ounce, bay rum 1 quart. Mix well and perfume. This is a good preparation for frequent use in its effect both on the scalp and hair, but neither will be kept in good condition without care and attention to general health. See articles in SUPPLEMENTS, 102, 388, 396.

(9) A. H. asks the size of steel wire rope necessary to suspend a weight of 16,000 pounds, each end of the rope being fastened 1,600 yards apart, the weight to travel from one end to the other on the rope. A. The scheme of so long a span carrying a load is impracticable. A span of 4,800 feet will nearly absorb the margin of safety by its own weight, depending upon the amount of deflection that could be allowed in the catenary curve. The largest steel cables that are made, 2⅝ inches, weigh 13 pounds per foot, or over 31 net tons for your span; with a deflection of one twenty-fifth, or nearly 200 feet, the tension would be 3¼ times the weight, or 254,800 pounds, while the ultimate strength is but 400,000 pounds.

(10) G. A. L. asks: Why will a brake on the hind end of a train of cars hold more than a brake set ahead of it on train? A. We do not know that it is so. It is possibly a fancy.

(11) A. K. H. asks: Will hot air cool off by sending it rapidly through a wooden tube 300 or 400 feet long? If so, how much? A. Yes, slightly. An iron pipe is better if you wish to cool the air. How much the air will be cooled will depend on initial temperature and the temperature of the conductor and surrounding air.

(12) H. H. writes: I have large quantities of iron and steel to pickle, or, in other words, to clean. I use oil of vitriol, which is expensive and dangerous. Is there an acid that would be cheaper and at the same time as effective? A. We know of nothing cheaper or better than sulphuric acid for pickling castings. The most economical method, as practiced here, is found in the hot bath, a tub lined with lead, or if of small requirement a stone pot. Water 5 to 8 parts, acid 1 part. Boil the work in the acid bath for a few minutes, then rinse in hot water. There is no danger if properly managed. For wrought iron and steel, use hydrochloric acid and water.

(13) W. F. E. asks: 1. How are bath bricks made? A. Bath bricks are found native as minerals, and are imported from England. 2. How are papier mache ornaments moulded, and where can I procure a work on the subject? A. We can send you Spons' "Workshop Receipts" for $2.00, first series, which contains full information on papier mache. See also various articles in SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT on the technology of the paper trade.

(14) W. M. S. asks how to make liquid glue. A. Take a wide mouthed bottle, and dissolve in it 8 ounces best glue in ½ pint water, by setting it in a vessel of water, and heating until dissolved. Then add slowly 2½ ounces strong nitric acid 36° Baume, stirring all the while. Effervescence takes place, with generation of fumes. When all the acid has been added, the liquid is allowed to cool. Keep it well corked, and it will be ready for use at any time.

(15) E. H. F. asks what preparation steam laundries use to make their goods so stiff and have such a fine gloss, and how is it used, and, if used with starch, is hot or cold starch used? A. Melt 2½ pounds of the very best A 1 paraffine wax over a slow fire. When liquefied, remove from the fire and stir in 100 drops oil of citronella. Have a lot of round new pie tins, clean and nice; place them on a level table, coat them slightly with sweet oil, and pour about six tablespoonfuls of the enamel into each tin. The pan may be floated in water to cool the contents sufficiently to permit the mixture to be cut or stamped out with a tin cutter into small cakes about the size of a peppermint lozenge. Two of these cakes added to each pint of starch will cause the smoothing iron to impart the finest possible finish to muslin or linen, besides perfuming the clothes.

(16) J. T. M., Jr., asks for a tempering liquid for tempering a flat coiled spring, ⅛ of an inch thick, 1½ inches wide, 20 feet long, without drawing the temper. A. You can get a spring temper in the hardening bath. Harden in water or oil and draw temper in an iron pan of linseed oil at boiling temperature.

(17) C. E. H. writes: I have nearly 1,000 feet of out-door steam pipe carried in elevated wooden boxes. What is a good and cheap pipe covering to prevent loss of heat? A. Pulverized charcoal or sawdust makes a good cheap insulation for steam pipes. The boxes should be large enough to allow 2 inches clearance all around the pipe, the latter to be retained in position by cleats. Boxes should be tight enough to prevent circulation of air. Tar the outside to make weather proof.

(18) B. L. asks: 1. Is there any method for removing rust stains from white cloth or linen? A. See the table in SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT No. 158, for the "Removal of Stains and Grease Spots." 2. Is there any book showing how to work out chemical problems, and giving answer in the back of the book? A. Professor J. P. Cooke's "Chemical Problems and Reactions" can be sent you postpaid for $1.

(19) D. B. wants a receipt for a dark cherry stain for a white pine floor. A. Use rain water 3 quarts, annatto 4 ounces; boil in a copper kettle till the annatto is dissolved, then put in a piece of potash the size of a walnut; keep it on the fire about half an hour longer, and it is ready to bottle for use.

(20) J. T. S.--Engines with automatic cut-offs will run steady with variable work. If you have a governor that only controls a throttle valve, there will be a small variation of speed with as much variation in the work as you state. Much depends upon the relative amount of work absorbed by the mill and the variable machinery.

TO INVENTORS.

An experience of forty years, and the preparation of more than one hundred thousand applications for patents at home and abroad, enable us to understand the laws and practice on both continents, and to possess unequaled facilities for procuring patents everywhere. A synopsis of the patent laws of the United States and all foreign countries may be had on application, and persons contemplating the securing of patents, either at home or abroad, are invited to write to this office for prices, which are low, in accordance with the times and our extensive facilities for conducting the business. Address MUNN & CO., office SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, 361 Broadway, New York.

INDEX OF INVENTIONS

For which Letters Patent of the United States were Granted

February 8, 1887,

=AND EACH BEARING THAT DATE.=

[See note at end of list about copies of these patents.]