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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1879)
January, 1879. THE WEST SHORE. 5 LOCOMOTIVES WITHOUT KIKE. I INDIAN LETTUCE, OR WILD LETTUCE. Machines on the above-named principle are now at work on the tramway from Rueil to Marly, near Paris, and with satisfactory results. The system in use is one introduced by M. Prancy, an engineer, and is based on the fact that water boils at a lower temperature pro portionately to the reduction of the atmospheric pressure. It is well known that water requires a temperature of 212" Fahr. to boil at the sea level ; but at a higher altitude, or where the atmos pheric pressure is reduced artificially, as in a partial vacuum, it boils and produces steam at a much lower temperature. Acting upon this prinoiple, M. Francy takes a reservoir of thin steel, we cannot call it a boiler, for it has neither fireplace nor fire, and introduces water at a temperature of 200 Fahr., and then covers up hermetically. The steam it gives off at once tills the superincumbent space, and produces a pressure of IS atmos pheres. As soon as any of the vapor is turned on for moving the machine the pressure is re duced, and the water then begins to boil, pro ducing a fresh supply ot steam. Of course that process is but of limited extent, as, at the com mencement, the liquid only oontained a certain amount of heat, which is gradually diminished as the reproduction of steam takes place at lower temperature by the exhaustion of the superincumbent pressure. So far a maohine of this description would be obviously totally in adequate to any prolonged journey. Hut for short transits it has been found extremely ser vicesble. As the amount of pressure required to work the engine is only five atmospheres, a series of valves are so arranged as to prevent a greater amount of force issuing from the reser voir than is necessary, and thus retaining as far as possible the heat originally oontained in the water. The driving part of the machinery is nearly identical with that of ordinary locomo tives, with a few modifications, with the purpose of guarding against the useless waste of the heat originally introduced into the reservoir. Ualiynam Meuenger. THE AGE OF STEEL. By the various cheapening processes which havo of late years been introduced into the manufac ture of steel, that article is fast supplanting the use of iron in the various industries, and notably so for railroad purposes. Bessemer steel rails are now produoed nearly as cheap as iron. It now amx-ars to be onlv a matter of time, and short at that, when Bessemor ami Soimens Martin steel will be so cheap that they will take the place of wrought-iron for almost every purpose. The latest new proposed use 01 sveei is lor tin plate makers, who, it is sam about to abandon iron for that purpose. The Bessemer steel trade, which had its origin in England rather more than 20 yean ago, still continues to be followed more largely in that country than any other. Of about 2,000,0000 tons of Bessemer steel now annually produced throughout tho world. England fur nishea 750,000 tons; the United States, M.I.OOO tons: France. 261.874 tons: and (iermany, ML '-'"I tons. No industry in modern times has soruni? un an suddenly into imiMirtance. nor has any other caused greater changes in the way of setting aside an old and introducing a new order. To this industry in supplanting ths use of iron is due the fact that thousands of fur naces have been closed np and tens of thousands w workingmen either thrown Idle or vans ferred to other occupations. The age of iron has become the age of steel. A new departure, long threatened and greatly feared, has been actually accomplished! I in. Post Office department baa reduced the prices of stamped envelopes on an average 20, the effect of which baa been to largely increase uis requisitions for the Indian Lettuce is very generally distributed long the Pacific ,-o.wt. It is fouud through out Washington Territory between the Cascade mountains and the sea, and extends at least as far south as San Francisco and its vicinity. Along our water courses iu the mountains, and where they wind their tortuous ways through Pnosnionus a Cum ron Sciatic.. It is not ordinarily wise to try remedies for effecting cures which one llnds in the newspapers. Hut where tho ingredients are such that no harm can arise from their trial, and the source frosa which tho prescription emanates is likely to be reliable, tho afflicted will gladly try almost any remedy recommended. Dr. Vuliiianlsen reports in Schmidt's lh.-ium.iry and the Pesth Mrdln OklrWj. I'rtur, both good authorities, from INDIAN LMKI Sacramento, San Jouin and T.tare valley and perhaps still further southward along the anil pern. roast tBToW 1 " .. : i x aToist, .Lylo-n. rich and - against the insurgents. which the Ixodoe UnlUat K$trJ eopise. a saw of ecutios winch lasted for two years and defied all treatment. II then arrived at the idea oi trying Ike internal rue of phosphorus, wkiek be pTMeribsd in dues ul IS milligram in sa (abeat uo fourth of a grain) three tirace a day. Tame lays sufficed to obtain a marked isaprovesneae, sad three weeks brought a complete care. Kraci, watching Bismarck and A as trie, has given oae year's notice of Use Uranlaatioa el ail treaties of liiiwsasjne,.