6
California Butter.
From the Faclne Rural Ftom.)
The complimentary notices which oro re
ceived from the East, concerning Iho good keep
ing qualities of California batter, do not fully
satisfy ns. Thoy imply that we have merely
made a lucky hit in tho mode which wo have
adopted for preparing our butter for niarkot;
and it seems to bo expected that we should
acoopt them ns a liberal concession on the part of
thoso who could not conscientiously admit tho
product itself, nside from its stylo of going to
market, among tho flrst-clnss dairy produots of
tho land. Wo uro not, howovur, disposed to
complain of any slight, or ovon want of appro
elation, on tho part of our dlstnut customors;
for wu are nwaro that it would bo casting n
worse, slight upon them to stipposo that they
did not know thnt butter could not bo kept
good, thnt was not good when it was taken out
of tho churn.
It is not to complain of tho want of our full
complement of praiHo, but rather to inspiro con
tldcnce on tho part of tho producers of Califor
nia butter, that wo hnvo takon tho Hubjoct in
hand. This is olio of the very few products in
regard to which our pooplu are willing to admit
that other portions ot thu country possess
suporlor advantages; but if thoy had concoded
certain other claims to their Kustvru neighbors,
and withheld this, thoy would buvo nnived nt
h fairer and uioro judicious distribution of
agricultural honors. Thoy havo evidently been
led into this mistake by tho prating of Science.
Tills lady has condescended to mako froiuotit
visits to the dairy, of lato. Possibly those
visits have been a littlo too frciiiicnt; for though
soma of her hints havo been of practical bene
fit, many of her conclusions havo been un
sound, und hnvo misled her too confiding vtita
rios. It has been remarked thnt whan a ludy
takes out her gold watch in u crowded street
car to inform horsclf of Iho timn of day, her
fellow tiiiHScliiturs are justified in thu conclusion
that she has not carried a watch a very long
period of time; and by tho same rulu wo limy
suppose that those who display among tho
masses an elaborately and highly burnished
case of science, from which dangles a long
chain of Hounding epithets, huo not long been
In possession of liio same.
Science has condescendingly called on lier
poor relation, Agriculture, nud hat seouied to
tuko a particular fancy to tho dairy department.
Hlie has furnished dairymen with an anal) bis
of grasses and soils, arid told them in what
localities tho component purls of butter nro to
be found in their greatest purity nud abund
ance; and in this connection wo havo been
assured that California is not among the few
favond spots where first-class butter can bu
made.
Wo nru willing to admit that wo hnvo not yet
seen an) thing of the California mako that is
quito up to thu unco famous "Oruugo county
butter, of Now York, or that ripials tho now
celebrated l'hiladelphla butter; and among tho
many dairying districts of tho Ilust then) are
probably other favored hpols w hi re, during a
(iiiif season of each year, a giudu of butter
may bo made which we cannot upml. Hut wo
are nut disposed to nccipt any classification
which places California butler In tho "ordin
ary," or even in tho " good grades ;" fur wu
assert that, with thu exception of thu strictly
" fancy" article, our butler is superior to that
of iaistern manufacture,
From our observations of tho olfects of cli
mate on milk, wu cannot see how that of Cali
fornia cau lie iithorwlsu than favorable to butter
making. Where tho condition of tho atmo
sphere Is such that thu milk sours before thu
cream rises, and when) tho cream becomes
tahitul and moulds a fow hours after skim
ming, wo cannot expect as much butter
i. 'inn the sumo amount of milk, or as good an
iiltlclons In situations which allow the cream
amplu time to rise, and do not render it Un
able hi tho slightest t.iiul during thu butter
making processes, It will, perhaps, lie remem
bered by tho readers of tho Piiknh that Harris
Louis, of Herkimer county, N. V., recently
gave, through Iho columns of our paper, his
opinion of tho probable ellccts of our remark
ably pure atmosphere mi chccHc-iiiitMiig; stat
ing that among other advantages which wu
might expect to derive fioiu our climate in this
product, cheese uiadu and cured under such
circumstances would possess long-kei ping
qualities, Mr. Lewis, in bis letter lo the I'iuhs,
limited bis observations to chccso-muklug; but
, wo uro confident that ho and every other ex
perienced dairyman will agree with us that
these climatic ndtulitiigcs are equally available
ill butter-making.
The uniform temperature of thu climate of
Calilornia undoubtedly giies uniformity to
California hultiT, and it is this quality, which
is imparled to it men by tho food of which the
cow partakes, which gies it much of the re
markable keeping quality for which ours Mem
of packing is especially credited, "t'linoy but
ter is pleasant to read about, and it is really
delicious eating; especially where the con
sumer brings to the feast a bit of his own
fancy; but uniformity in butter is a quality far
more desirable than fancy; especially where it
Is uniformly good, or even belter than good, as
is the standard butter of Calll'oriiii. It people
do not go into ecstasies over California butter,
on the. other hand their senses are never
shocked by it as they are by a largo portion -perhaps
three quarters -ot that which is made
In the ljist. It is interesting to observe the
almost liuiid manner with which the retail
purchaser of i astern butter makes his acquaint
ance with tho article. His sense of smell has
rcctivi'd so muiiy gioss allrcuits of this charac
ter Ihut ho does not bring It in close proximity
to his nose, but "scents it from afar at first.
When the nose, as a partner in the purchase,
assents to the Wirgalu the taste is consulted, and
after Mime dilibeiutlou, accomp inlcd by an
ominous scowl und a suspicious smacking of
the lips, tho purchase, is perhaps completed.
Similar scenes nro enacted ocr Iho butter
plate at tho Utile. It is scarcely considered u
breach of hospitality or of table etiquette for the
guest to lift the butler to his noso before spread
ing it ou his broad. Hut wo sen littlo o( this iu
California. As it is safe to eat a California
apple In the dark, so can wo spread, as well at
tat, our bread in pi ace, with no noisome stench
or fiaor to molest or uisko us afraid.
What we have said in regard to the keeping
qualities of California butler being more atlrib.
uUble to our climate than to our mode of pack
ing, should not bo considered as evidence of a
want of faith on our part iu this mode; for we
tbluk that our butter-makers achieved a fortu
nate hit when they adopted It. Wo want no
butter -firkins in the State, though butter
packed ill them here would undoubtedly keep
(letter than ill those places where they arc iu
general use; but our loug, two-pound roll .
seues uutiy advantages. In convenience and
neatness in marketing it caunot be surpassed;
and a slice from one of them furuUhes a bo
coming occupant fur the butler plate. Enrolled
iu thin cloth, and pickled iu large buttercaaks,
it cau bo safely transported to any distance.
We hope that by improving our dairy stock,
aud by iucrtased iacililira for making ami mar
keting bultrr, we shall Is) able to compete aa
successfully with Eastern dalr)Uieu Iu regard
to price, as we now do iu the quality of th
product; and that we shall soon export largely
of this article. The exclusive exportation of
grain fortunately units the emergencies of a
newoountry; but all farmers aro nwaro that if
continued it will exhaust the vitality of the
soil, and they do not noed tho croakings of ns
flavors to stimulate them to an endeavor to
substitute something of a different character as
soon ns practicable. For this purpose nothing
la bo well adapted as dairying. It enriches in
stead of impoverishing the soil, and whatever
enrlchos the soil, enriones the owner of tho soil.
Wheat, Fruit, Potato-bugs, etc., at the
East.
From th Pacific Rural Press.
In Pennsylvania, Now York and somo othor
Eastern States, whent growing is ovidontly
being rosuscitated, and tho goneral report from
this crop is at present exceedingly favorable.
Fruit is also looking woll; but the potato-bug
is looking docidodly bad. In somo portion) of
Pennsylvania this dostructivo and odious post
is greatly annoying the farmors. It is asserted
that thoy travel by rail not on the rail fonco,
as old-fashioned bugs hnvo been in tho habit of
doing, but by tho railroads of tho country.
Tho theory is quito plausible, for it is well
known that tho potato-bug, ns allying machine,
is n falluro; and no visible means of transit
has yet been mado known by which ho reaches
his destination, llo has been caught " steal
ing n ride" ou tho nxtos and other pnrts of
railroad cars, nnd though oveu a larger propor
tion of his, than of tho human .race, is crushed
aud dumped into otoruity by tho improved
facilities fortransportatlon, thoro wilt onough be
ieft for purposes of propagation.
Among other current agricultural intelli
gence received from tho East, Mr. J. 11. Jones,
of Itocbostor, N. Y., writes us as follows, under
date of July (ith:
" Aftor a loug, cold spring, wo aro having a
fine growing summer. Wheat, th it lookod so
brown and lifeless in April, has thickened up,
aud is fully an average in all tho Eastern Statos.
Corn looks well nnd nil other spring crops.
(Irass is hoavy. Thu fruit crop, which with us
Is an Important ono, promises well. Srawbcr
rios havo been lino nnd cheap (10a.) Hasp
berries and chorries nro now ripe, and aro a
lino crop, bringing good prices, or from lOo. to
lfic. per qt. drapes, npplos, pears aud poachos
havo ail set well peas, perhaps, the least;
while peaches have not been for a long tlmo ns
promising, Tho potato-bug has at last roached
us, and, although ns yet only a part of our fields
havo bocu attacked, tho damage is quito serious,
and another year wo shall havo a full crop of
bugs. Well, wu must fight them."
A Short Cut to Peach Culture.
It is to cut off liny old branch of a peach
treo, stick It into thu ground it may bo used
for n beau-polo while sticking there and it
will (alio root, boar splendid poaches scorning
the assistnnco of irrigation performing nil tho
functions of an old-stylo pe.ich tree, nud requir
ing liono of tho cares nud labors which have
hitherto been bestowed upon that class of trees.
This, it seems, Is tho way thoy manage, these
things about Stockton. The occupation of thu
nurserymen in tho vicinity of that celebrated
citv is evidently uoiuu. coins, nnd will soon bu
gone. Thu grand patriarch of this now order
of fruit trees, which now stands ou thu ranch
of Mr. Learned, near that place, was originally
n common garden slake. It Is now pointed
out to thu effeminate, youthful occupants of our
gardens nnd nurseries us nil example of what a
treo oau do that is forced to rely ou its own re
sources; u noble self-made peach treo. If sur
veyors could bu induced to make their stakes
of the wood of Iho peach treo and use them iu
their exploring expeditious, what a start It
would givo to thu horticultural advantages of
the country I and if thu early settlers would use
this wood for their fence posts, how tourists
and excursive journalists would praise tho
country! For if this system was practised, tho
passing tourists nud "our reporters" would
only havo to climb to tho top of a four-board
fence and till thoso dear littlo hats, then eat,
drink and bu merry. It is true thnt iu doing
this they might Incur Iho risk of presslngoiit
somo of the studied dents aud kinksthatnii ed
itorial and tourlslicul hats aro expected to pos
sess, and thereby render their weunrs liable to
b mistaken for ordinary mortals; but alter nil,
what is fame!
PiioTKirriNii Vaunisii. A simple invention
for the prestation of cards, photographs, and,
in fact, of aujthing likely to bo injured by
moisture or dirt, has just been announced. It
consists of a preparation of gutta-percha iu
solution. This liquid is thrown iu u very flue
spray over the article to bo protected, by uu
atomizer, lly this process u thin film is pro
duced, and when tho liquid part has evaporated,
as Is very speedily done, tho object is coated
with a translucent substance, impervious to
water, (lutta-percha, iu its pure statu, is of n
semi transparent grayish color. Hut its trans
parency, as a covering for pictures, depends on
Iho thinness of the film. The gum first needs
to la purified, nud thou, if it lias not been
treated witli alehohol, it is soluble in chloro
form or ether. The process of dissolving it is in
ilsolt a purifying one. The ether, Mug highly
volatile, verv soon disappear when the spray
is deposited on any object. A drawing or
photograph thus protected cau bo washed, tho
gum not being permeable by water, nud resist
ing any amount of heat so long as it is wet.
It Ix'giiK to soften, however, at a temperature
of ISO- Fahrenheit. Hut this is a temperature
to which our climate naturally subjects no
thing. This simple invention might como iutu
very practical ami general use; and if it did no
more than to give additional security to the
work of the camera, it would be a highly val
uable invention.
Niriio-it.OKitiNK. .Vitro-glycerine is an ex
plosive oil, iu mauy respects analogous to gun
colton. It is produced by the action of nltrlo
acid, mixed with oil of vitriol, upon glycerine,
tho sweet substance obtained when oils nud fat
are steamed. It is one of tho most treacher
ous explosive substances known to chemists,
aud frightful accidents have been caused by iu
cautiously using it In its crude state. In tho
course of many endeavors to counteract or re
duce the sources of danger attending the use
of nitro-glycerine, M. Nobel made the import
ant observation that ita explosive properties
were not reduced; but, ou the contrary, some
what favored, by mixing the liquid with solid
substances, iu themselves thoroughly iuert.
This led to the production of dyuaiuite, which
coustitutes ouo of tho safest, most powerful,
and most couvculeut explosive agents applica
ble to industrial purposes, although it is nut, iu
our opinion, equally applicable to military pur
poses, Dynamite is made by mixing mtro
glyecriuo with a porous, infusorial earth, kuown
lu Herman aa "Kleaselguhr." The earth b
sortsi the oil, and the result Is a plastic, putty
like substance of brick-dust color, cuntaluing
about 75 pr cent, of uitro-glycoriue aud 23 of
absorbent earth. .our. of Chrmittiy.
Nitivr SiLVia AutunMt. Some researches,
by M. Pitaul, ou the aiuaUjam of silver occur
ring at Konigsberg, in Norway, show that two
distinct amalgam art found.
WILLAMETTE FARMER.
I Hints on Hop Growing No. 7.
Drying Hops.
Our apology for allowing the present num-
I her of this series of articles to follow so closely
upon the heels of its predecessor, which ap
peared in last week's issue, is, that the two
i processes of which they treat are still more
closely connected and are also close at hand.
A good dry-house is not an expensive struc
ture, and when not used for drying hops is
available for various other purposes. A build-
' ing covering a spaco of 18x30 feet, nnd hating
10 feet poslB, will bo sufficiently largo for a hop
yard of ton acres. The lower story, divided
t into two apartments of equal sizo, will form
tho storo-room and the press-room, where the
baled hops can be storoa. Tho upper story,
divided in tho same way, will form tho kiln
over the storo-room and tho store-room for
i impressed hops. Let the building be as tight
us n good outsldo boarding and iusido colling
will mako it; for air and light should bo pretty
effectually excluded. About two foot may bo
taken from tho bight of tho kiln nnd added to
that of the stove-room. This will more effectu
ally concoinrnte tho heat in tho kiln, and tho
floor bolng olevatod above that of the store-
I room it will add to the convenience of shoving
1 tho dried hops from tho fjrmcr to tho latter.
In placo of n floor between the stovo nnd kiln
rooms, hoavy wiro cloth should bo placod upon
tho joists; nud ovor this baling cloth should be
spread to prevent tho hops from sifting through.
I No glass windows should bo placed In nny of
tho rooms, with the exception of that in which
the hops nro prcssod, ns tho hops should be
kept from tho light as much as possible. Ono
window with shutters that tit closely and that
can be readily managed is all that is needed for
tho othor three rooms: thoush tho stovo-rootn
should havo ventilutors near tho floor, which
I mny bo opened or closed ns moro or less bent
is required. There should bo no entrance to
tho stovo-room oxcopt through tho proas-room;
I and tho window through which tho hops, when
brought from tho yard, nro emptiod into tho
kiln, is nil tho communication nooded botweou
this room nud tho outsldo world. A platform
under this receiving window will bo needed iu
placing tho sacks of nowly picked hops from
the wagon into tho kiln.
Iho dried, uubalcd hops being extremely
bulky, it is desirable to have ns much spaco ns
possiblo In which to store them, ns baling can
not bo well nttendod to during tho drying son
sou. To gain spaco for this storago, a foot or
oven more mny bo tnkon from tho room
i beneath tho press-room by placing tho divid
ing lloor tlniB much lower. The press-room
should bo woll lightod, ns it is horo that tho
sowing of thu baios is dono; nnd, when the
drying season is past, this room furnishes n
good shop for the farm. Near tho centor of
, tho room a hole nbout two feet squaro should
I ba loft, undor which tho press is to bo placed,
1 nnd from which tho hops nro poured into tho
press through n cloth hopper. This can bo
done with a trap door, and opened as tho press
is to ba filled.
Ouo ot tho largost sizo box stores will answer
for hop-drying, through a regular hop stovo is
mado for this purpose Lot Iho plpo run un
to within about two ftot of tho floor abovcJ
men entering a "i, irom oacn eiul ol wmen a
pipu runs around each sido of thu room enter
ing tho chimney on tho sido opposite thnt at
. which tho stove is placed. An earthen floor for
tho stovo-room is preferable.
Iu plaoiug hops within tho kiln for drying,
' ba careful nud not trample them. Havo them
lay up as looso as possible, llegin in tho part
of thu room most distant from the receiving
door, placing them about you, nud crowding
yourself out of tho room, by the Increasing
surface of hops. Tako a light rake, aud mako
tho surface smooth us you extend it. About
sixteen inches is n good depth to spread tho
hops. When the mipnly is complete, close the
rcctivlng door or window, also that which lends
Into the stove-room, nud tho " batch " is ready
to have tho heat applied.
Tho drjer must not expect to remain n longer
lime iu tho stove-room than is necessary iu
miking thu tires, llo should, however, give
this duty his close attention, ns a uniform heat
is desirable. All experienced dryer will bu nblu
to catch a few minutes' shop occasionally,
between thu lire-makings; but as a genornl rule
tlio dryer should not trust himself iu this
lespect. The stovo should bu kept nt such n
heat ns will show spots of red on its surface
nearly nil the tlmo. Have a stock of un
pulverized sulphur near at hand, aud occasion
ally, about every two hours, placo two or three
ounces on the stove. This will preserve the
, bright green color of the hops.
I'ndor ordinary cirenrastnnces, ten hours'
time is huUlcIe.nl for drying a batch of hops,
Thu dryer, commencing his fires nt six o'clock
in tho evening, will be able to retire nt four iu
' the morning, leaving everything tightly closed.
About nine o'clock tho kiln should be visited,
when they will bu found to ba partially cooled.
Thoy should now bo thoroughly stirred, by
walking through them, scraping thu ftot along
the lloor, instead of stepping, thus plowing
them up and bringing the bottom hops to the
surface. They can again bo closed tightly, and
left until such time iu the afternoon ns you
wish to prepare for another drying ; then they
should be shoved into tho store-room. As wo
have before suggested, tho hops should be kept
from the air and sunlight ns much as possible,
from the time they are taken from tho hot-
Iiluker's box to that ol entering the press.
topper.
mien hops are properly aud thoroughly
dried they should have a delicate green color,
nud be crisp nud brittle, pulverizing readily by
rubbing in the palm of the hand. jfunif J"rtju.
A Natural Htuiiomktkb.Au instrument for
measuring the humidity of tho atmosphere, nud
one which, combined with thu thermometer
aud barometer, might be of great use to farm
ers, in prognustigating the weather, may be
nmde,, according to M. II. Do La Ulonchere, ns
follows ; The grain of the common oat of ag
riculture, aud also of the wild oat, is sur
mounted by a barb, which is terminated by n
right-auglcd elbow. Let ouo of these grains at
maturity be cut in half, aud the upper half be
attached by means of glue to the center of n
circle marked upon the plane surface ou a piece
of wood or metal. To the extremity of the
barb may be attached a flue piece of straw
which will serve as a needle, and will amplify
the indications. To graduate this simple little
instrument, place it iu verv hot air. and mark
0 nt the point indicated by the needle; then
place it iu au atmosphere saturated with
humidity by meaus of wet cloths, aud mark
'the point indicated by the needle 100, aud
divide the Interval between 0 and 100 Into oue
hundred equal parts, Tho straw needle may
lie made ot considsrable length, so a to give
it indication clearly, Such a hygrometer
cost but little, and i always comparable with
itself.
Tiia .tuimom CaoiU states that a water
proof paper, transparent and impervious to
grease, 1 obtained by soaking Rood paper in
an aqueous solution of shellao and borax. It
resemble parchment pspsr in some respects;
I it th aqueous solutlou is colored with aniline
colors, very handsome paper, of use for artifi
cial dowers, i prepared.
Making Match Sticks.
Concluded,
The quantity seems enormous, and almost
staggerers belief, but such is tho velocity with
which tho machines are driven, and the multi
plication of the sticks so rapid, that there is no
difficulty in producing the numbor stated.
When the wheels are in motion, the sticks fall
from the cutters in a regular shower, and are
caught in a trough below, through which passes
a belt or elevator, which carries them to a se
ries of machines, called shakers, with Bmnll
latticed bottoms, in which thoy nresubjeotedto
a violent shaking as they pass through. This
operation is for the purpose ot removing all im
perfect sticks and pieces of shavings. As they
pass through, they aro deposited iu large cases
ready to bo carried to the drying rooms. These
rooms are three in number, each fourteen by
fourteen feet, the floors of which are covered
with n series of steam-pipes. The boxes con
taining the sticks havo latticed bottoms, nud aro
placcdupon theso plpos in tiers, ono nbove the
other, four or five deep, when the heat is forced
through tho ontiro mass. Here they nro allow
ed to remain for a day and a night, subjected to
a temperature of 120 degrees, which effectually
dries tho wood, rendering it almost as light ns a
feather. As great caro must bo used to guard
against fire in thoso rooms, perforated pipes,
with an independent connection, aro liberally
provided, through which a sufficiency of steam
can be forced in a moment to extinguish flro in
case of combustion. Afior going through the
drying procoss, the sticks aro carried to another
sories of shakers. Hero, by an ingenious ar
rangement, tho sticks, as tney nre shaken up
by n livoly motion, aro straightened, when they
nro doposlted in metal boxes nt tho lower
end of each machine, with circular bottoms.
These boxes aro made to hold as many sticks
ns can be grasped by tho hand, from whence
tbeyare taken, and packed in cases ready for
shipment to the finishorg, who apply the com
pound to tho tips. After tipping, tho matches
are placed in boxes for sale. Tho plain match
stick may he looked upon as an insignificant
item nt first sight, but n moment's reflection
will convinco tho reader that an enormous
quantity is required to supply tho daily con
sumption. Tho making of theso match-sticks
is a distinct mnnufacturo, tho nintch-rankors in
inrgo cities purchasing the sticks for tipping.
The American Match-Stick Company, at Wii
liamsport, Pa employ tho process described
above, aud when fairly under way, expect to
mako and ship a full carload of match-sticks
per day to their various customers. It is esti
mated that in Europo nud tho Unitod Stntos,
the amount of wood annually consumed in the
manufneturo of match-sticks is, nt the lowest
calculation, four hundred thousand cubio yards.
Ouo of Do Howons' machines, requiring three
horse-power to drivo it, will, it is claimed, cut
in ten hours fifty-two millions of niatch-stioks.
This machino is nlso olnimod to consume less
lumber by ouo half than that consumed for tho
samo number of sticks by any other machino
yot invented. Journal oAjjlUd .Science.
An Architectural Infliction.
A few yo.us ago tho monotonous stylo of roof
used iu architecturo was agreeably varied by
tho introduction of what is kuown as the Man
sard roof, sometimes called the French nttio.
kTho splendid architectural piles iu Paris re-
etivcu somo oi tueir uest graces ol expression
from the handsome sky-lines the Mansard roof
g.ivo them, nnd almost overy American traveling
abroad wondered why so graceful a roof could
not bo adopted lu our Amcrloan cities, where
tho large buildings usually terminated with nn
abrupt, sharp, and unpicturcsquo sky-line.
Tho Mansard roof nftor n tlmo wns Introduced,
nud its peculiar beauty soon mado it very po
pular. Hut, liko nil fashions which become
thu rage, aud which nro adopted by people
imitativcly, without perception of tho principle
that governs them, tho French nttio hnsbocomo
with us nn architectural infliction. Tho Man
sard roof was designed for tall buildings. Its
special purposo is to bronk tho monotony of
a massive pilo, nnd to roduco iu nppenranco its
real bight. A structure that would seem awk
wardly tall, with nn unvaried succession of
stories, has not only, by menus of tho Mausard
roof, n uioro graceful caption, but nttnlus more
ugreenble proportions. Tho specific purposo of
this roof being rccoguized, tho absurdity of its
itto in small buildings becomes nt onco appar
ent. Our builders, however, seem to lack all
power of perception, and to havo reduced tho
art of architecture to indiscriminate imitations.
Everywhere now tho Mausard roof confronts
us. Every new cottage on tho roudside, now
cheap villas iu those extemporized villages that
Hue our metropolitan railways, new publio
buildiugs of ovory sort nnd degree, rnilrond
station-houses all over tho country everything
of tho kind now, no matter if onlyn story high,
must hnve its Mansard roof, with entire disre
gard ot fitness or propriety. Il is exasperating
to see n good idea thus dragged into absurd and
iguoblo uses. As wo nt first hailed with
pleasure tho appearance of tho Mansard roof,
we shall now look with hopo for tho signs thnt
will indicate tho termination of its career. Aud
yet whatever may follow will have to undergo
the same experience. It is our natural way to
try nud appropriate) overy big thing for every
little purpose. dnirrleilii JfuiMrr.
Incomiii'stiiilr Wood. Severn! attempts
have been made at ditl'erent times to render
timber uniutlammable. A new nnd apparently
successful method has recently been tested, of
which, perhaps,' the most convincing of the
first series of experiments was that iu which a
large heap of the prepared timber, about two
feet high and seven or eight feet in circumfer
ence, placed ou large iron sheets, was saturated
with paraffin and sot ou tiro. As soon as tho
puratiiii was consumed the fire spontaneously
weut out. The timbor was theu examined, and
fouud to be scarcely injured. The pieces of
wood were of various sizes, the majority being
about eighteen inches long by two and three
iuches square. Not only does the process ren
der timber uniutlammable, but it has the not less
important property of making the softer kinds
of timber (.such ns white and yellow pine)
throughout, both in appearance and hard
uess, like teak or oak. What adds immensely
to the value of the discovery is that the system
cu le applied by a simple method to ships
already built, so as to render those containing
iucipient dry-rot almost as good as new, and
absolutely arresting nny further damnge from
must ufBiruciive uiugi.
As OrsTKnPiTKST. One of the great troubles
Which OVSterilieil llAVt, In nnnl.M.1 -ltl, la tl.A
starfish. This rapacious enemy destroys thou
sand of bushels of oysters every year, and no
device has heretofore proved effective as a pro
Uction. Hut the ingenuity of a Connecticut
kankee has at last triumphed. Mr. Oliver
Cook, of Darien, Conn., has lately obtained a
patent on the subject. His invention consist
in spreading a net, uuder water, on the ground
composing the oyter bed. Mr. Starfish
pucker his fingers together, squeeze himself
up through the tneabet ot the net, and then
extend hit digits again. Being now upon tho
upper tide ot the net, he will bo infallibly cap.
tured whenever the oytterman raise the net
to the surface. This U to be frequently done
nntll the enemy i cleared from the coast, when
th oyster at once begin to laugh aud grow
fat. Scientific rnfrioin.
DEWEY & CO.
American & Foreign Patent Agents,
OFFICE, 334 8AN80ME STREET, S. F.
PATENTS obtained promptly; Caveats filed
expeditiously; Patent reissues taken out;
Assignments made and recorded in legal
form; Copies of Patents and Assignments
procured; Examinations of Patents made
here and at Washington; Examinations made
of Assignments recorded in Washington;
Examinations ordered and reported by Tele
graph; Selected cases taken up and Patents
obtained; Interferences Prosecuted; Opinions
rendered regarding the validity of Patents
nnd Assignments; every legitimate branch of
Patent Agency Business promptly and
thoroughly conducted.
Our intimnto knowledge of the various in
ventions ot this coast, and long practice in
patent business, enablo us to abundantly
satisfy our patrons; and our bucccbb and
business are constantly increasing.
Tho shrewdest and most experienced Inventors
are found among our most stoadfast friends
nnd pntrous, who fully appreciate our advan
tages in bringing valuable inventions to the
uotico of tho publio through tho columns of
our widely circulatod, first-class journals
thcroby facilitating their introduction, sale
and popularity.
Foreign Patents.
in addition to American Patents, wo secures
with the assistance of co-opcratlvo ngonts,
clnims in all foreign countries which grant
Patents, including Great Britain, Franco,
Belgium, Prussia, Austria, Victoria, Peru,
Bussia, Spain, British India, Saxony, British
Columbia, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Mexico,
Victoria, Brazil, Bavaria, Holland, Don
mark, Italy, Portugal, Cuba, Koman States,
Wurtomberg, Now Zealand, Now South
Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Brazil, New
Orennda, Chile, Argcntino llcpublio, AND
EVEBY COUNT11Y IN- TIIE WOULD
whero Patents aro obtainable.
No models aro required In European coun
tries, but tho drawings and specifications
should ho prepared with thoroughness, by
abla persons who nro familiar with tho re
quirements nud changes of foroign patent
laws agents who aro reliablo and perma
nently established.
Our Bchcdulo prices for obtaining foroign pat
ents, in nil enscs, will always bo as low, and
in somo instances lower, than thoso of any
other rosponslblo agency.
Wo am and do got foreign patents for inventors
in the Pacific States from two to six months
(according to tho location of tho country
sooneb than nny othor agents.
Home Counsel.
Our long experience in obtaining patents for
Inventors on this Coast has fnmlliarixcd us
with tho character of most of tho inventions
already patented; henco wo aro frequently
ablo to savo our patrons tho cost of a fruitless
application by pointing them to tho same
thing already covered by a patent. Wo are
always freo to adviso applicants of any
knowledge wo havo of previous applications
which will intcrfcro with their obtaining a
patent.
Wo invito tho acquaintance of all pnrtlos con
nected with inventions and patent right busi
ness, belioving thnt the mutual conference of
legitimate business nnd professional men is
mutual gain. Parties in doubt in regard to
their rights as assignees of patents, or pur
chasers of patented articles, can often rocelvo
advico of Iniportnnco to them from a short
call at our office.
Remittances ot money, mado by individual in
ventors to the Government, sometimes mis
carry, aud it has repeatedly happened that
applicants havo not only lost their monoy,
but their inventions also, from this oausoand
consequent delay. Wo hold ourselves ro
sponslblo for all foes entrusted to our agoney,
Tho principal portion of tho patent business of
this coast has been dono, and is still being
dono, through our agency. Wo aro familiar
with, nnd hnvo full records, of all former
cases, nnd can moro directly judgo of tho
valuo and patentability of inventions discov
ered hero than any other agents.
Situated so remoto from tho scat of government,
delays aro even moro dangerous to the invent
ors of tho Pacitlo Coast than to applicants in
tho Eastern States. Valuablo patents may be
lost by tho oxtra time consumed In transmit
ting specifications from Eastern agencies back
to this coast for tho signature of tho inventor.
Confidential.
We take great pains to preserve secrecy in all
confidential matters, and applicants for pat
ents can rest assured that their communi
cations and business transactions will bo held
strictly confidential by us. Circulars free.
Engravings.
Wo havo superior artists in our own offioo, and
all facilities for producing tine and satisfac
tory illustrations of inventions and machinery,
for newspaper, book, circular and other
printed illustrations, and aro always ready to
assist patrons in bringing their valuable .is
coveries into practical nnd profitable use.
DEWEY & CO.,
United States and Foreign Pateut Agonts, pub
lishers Miulug aud Scientific Press and the
Pacific ltural Press, 221 Snusonie St., 8. F.
The Mining & Scientific Press.
SttrtM In I860, U ooe ot ths oldest weekly Journal now
imMlihed In Bn Francisco. It bu ben conducted
by lu renl proprietor tor ten year, during which
period II Lu been repeatedly cnlirgtsl and constantly
Improved. The active and steadfut effort of IU pub
ll.bera hve gained tor It conduct an amount of uracil
cl experience greater than any other publisher have
crtiuiultUd on this coast, of a weekly journal.
The suiu paid by us for the best editorial talent ob
Ulusble for our ipeeltl elm Journal; for engravings,
for Interesting news and correspondence, and for print,
ing ltrge-tlted, budtome sheet, 1 unequalled by that
of any other American weekly west of th Mississippi.
As a Faicnou. Mixwo Jourum. It bu no rival on
this Continent.
It It the only MscHtxicu., and the only Scnxnric
Journal of the Pacific Bute.
MloJ.r! "ver. Mlllman. and Metallurgist in the
United Bute should take It.
raclflo Coast Mechanics. Engineer. Inventor. Manu
facturer. Professional Men, and Progressiva and
Industrul Student should patroniM it columns of
fresh and valuable Information,
lulng Engineer. Superintendent, MeUUnrgtsU, Mine
Owners tnd Mine Worker throughout th world
-.., 4vu vj in uiiuirmiiuua ana descriptions
of hew Machinery, Processes, Discoveries and
Itecord of Mining venU.
Intelligent thinker throughout the land. Is high or
humble titnatlon, who would avoid literary trath
for genuine Information, should SUBSCRIBE AT
DKWBY A CO.,
No. ttl Sansome street, 8. F.
PEPPER'S NURSERIES,
PETAUTMi, CAL.
Having Increased our fwllltlea for growing Tree and
PUsU, and permanently located oar Greenhouse and
Tre Depot comer Wuhlngton and Liberty street, we
an prepared to furnish Prult and 8had Traa. Small
Italia. Evergreen Trees sad Shrub, riowaringShinb.
Oreenhoat ml Bedding PUnU, etc. Bead for D.
crlptlv Catalogue and list of price.
.. AdJre, W. H. a O. B. PXPPKB.
..vt-ly Psuiuma. Soaoma Co., Cat.
J