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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 1876)
Vtv f'trji VJu"! rp3' """ T TyTpw-frW" a,5Tfi WILLAMETTE FARMER. Proof that Electricity is not a Fluid. An electrio spark, however powerful, cannot be made to pass any distance, however small, through a perfect vacuum. It is retarded just in proportion to the nearness to which a vao nam is prodaaed. The degree of perfection in a vacuum may thus be accurately measured. "We possess, says the Manufacturer and Builder, a tube, in which the two platinum wires are only a quarter of an inch apart, bnt the vac uum is so perfect that the spark from a large Kuhmkorff coil, which in air passes easily over twelve inches space, and in rarefied air twelve feet, or perhaps any distance, can not be made to pass over the space of only a quarter of an inch of such a vacunm. If proof were wanting of the non-existence of the so-called electrio fluid, it is here; if eleo tricity were indeed a subtle fluid it would pass easier through an absolute vacuum than through rarefied air; but the reverse is the case. It behaves thus similar to sound, which can not be propagated through a vacuum, even if imperfect. This proves that sound progresses by a certain motion of the molecules ot the medium which propagates it; and in the same way the experiment mentioned 'proves that the existence of an electrio fluid is as apocry phlcal as that of a sonorous fluid would be, and that electricity is simply propagated by a certain motion of the moleoules of the mate rials which we call electrical conductors, and is therefore merely a mode of motion the same as heat is a mode of motion. But for heat we have no experiment so di rectly proving its immateriality as the above experiment proves it for electricity. We are not yet able to make a vacuum bo perfect that no calorio rays will traverse it; notwithstanding this, the ida of a calorio fluid has been aban doned by all advanced philosophers, and the theory considering heat as a mode of motion mast be acknowledged to be established; how much more then are we entitled to consider electricity as a mode of motion, having suc ceeded in making a vacuum through which it cannot manifest its action. The Demagnetization of Watches. We have already alluded to the trouble often occasioned by the magnetization of watches, and we now clip from the last number of Scrlbner's Magazine a simple method for de magnetizing these indispensable pocket com panions: "Watches worn by students and others in technical laboratories are often rendered use less by being magnetized by the mignets used in such places. Magnets kept in the house often create equal mischief by being laid near 'watches, and much time and expense are some times needed to demagnetize them before they can be mode to work. A serious case of this kind of injury recently led Professor A. M. Haver, of the Stevens' Institute of Technology, Hoboken, to experiments which resulted in a very simple method of demagnetization. The magnetized watch was laid upon a table in the neighborhood of a common compass needle. Each hour on the face was then placed in turn before it to discover the location and intensity of the magnetism in the watch. The move ment of the compass showed the north and south pole to be located (say) at the figures V and XI, while the neutral points were at VIII and II. The watch was then held in a hori zontal position before a large bar magnet, the south pole of each being together. A gentle tilting motion was given to it for a moment, and, on trying the watch again before the com pass, a sensible decrease of magnetism was ob served. The process was repeated till the sen sitiveness of the watch at that pole was nearly extinguished, when the same thing was tried with the north pole of the watch. After a few trials and comparisons, the magnotio influence was found to be removed, and the watch readily resumed its work." Fnurr ik Paebistobio Times. Carbonized apples of small size, identical with those grow ing wild in the woods of Switzerland, have been found abundantly in lake bottoms, and in a tolerable state of preservation. Mr. Messi kommer discovered on one occasion more than three hundred of them lying close together. They are often cut in halves, more rarely in three or four parts, and were evidently dried for consumption during winter. Whether a larger kind of apple found at Bobenhausen was cultivated, or a wild-growing species, remains undecided. Professor Oswald Heer, of Zurich, who has published an interesting work on la custrine vegetable remains, inclines to the for mer view. Wild pears were treated in the same manner: but thev are far less oommon than apples, which must have formed a much-soncht article of diet. Among other vegetable remains accumulated in the lake mud may be mentioned hazel-nuts and beeoh-nuts, both in great plenty; also water chestnuts, which doubtless were col lected aud eaten by the lake-men, as they are in Upper Italy at this day. Tbeir present occur rence in Switzerland appears to be restricted to a tarn in the cauton of Lucerne. There have further been found abundantly the stones of sloes, bird cherries, and wild plums, and seeds of the raspberry, blackberry, and straw berry, showing that these fruits of the forest were nsed as food. According to Dr. Keller, the lake colonist! of the Stone Age drew their sustenance chiefly from the vegetable kingdom. Their animal food evidently was acquired by hunting rather than by the breeding of cattle, considering that in the accumulations around the piles the bones of wild animals outnumber those of the domestic species. Milk, we may assume,formed an important article of their diet. Cab Buxldinq fob theWobld. John Steph enson, whose name is seen on so many ot our cars in this State, is the great street car builder of the world. A late visitor at his shops in New York speaks of him thus: He is now over sixty; as hale and vigorous as when he was thirty; under-sized, stocky, robust aod cheery; a mecbanio of the James Harper school. He makes cars for the world. No nation can com pete with or undersell him. While I was talk ing with him he was making a contract for cars for Bombay. Twelve cars were ready for Liv erpool. Others were on the waon for London. Another lot are for Australia, Norway, Austria, St. Petersburg, and also America, and over our bouridless Continent. Liverpool cars are double deckers; but Americans won't ride in them. All English cars have the windows fastened down, and they can't be sold unless they are. These cars the English cannot make, though they have had the pattern for number of years. Nor can that wonderful nation make a rubber car spring. All are made here. Mr. Stephenson ships no cars. He delivers all his work in New York. Each nation, company, or man who trades for a car pays for it in New York. No contract is taken unless the con tractor has a banker in New York who will pay for the ear when it is done. Mr. S. builds nine cars a week. He can take an order and have a oar ready to ship in four dys. Eaoh car costa $1,000, gold. Ahxmcix Skill Asms. The Sharp rifle company, of Hartford, U experimenUng with a new rifle which can be fired three times in a econd. Pacific Mail Steamship Co. New York to San Francisco, via Panama. KATES OF PASSAG-E. O C3 O H Ct5 i m a --., bj 3 - k t$SaThe Rates include the transit of the Isthmus of Panama via Panama Railroad. Also, Bed ding, Board and all necessaries for the voyage. An experienced Surgeon is on each ship, and no charge is made foj medicines or medical attendance. Steamers leave New York every Saturday at 12 o'clock, Noon, And Make the Trip to San Francisco in Three Weeks. This Route offers Special Inducements to EMIGRANTS, who will avoid the delays, discomfort and expense of the tedious trip overland by rail. THE STEAMEES OF THIS LINE CONNECT AT NEW T0RK WITH ALL THE TEANS-ATLANTIO LINES FEOM EUROPE Also at the Isthmus of Panama with Steamers of the Hamburg American Packet Company, from Hamburg and Havre, The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, from Southampton, The "West India and Pacific Steamship Company, from Liverpool, And the General Trans-Atlantic Company,' from St. Nazaire. All information regarding Through Rates of Passage, can be obtained from the Agents of the above Lines at any port in Europe, from whom Through Passage Tickets can be purchased. THE OFFICE OF THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSniP COMPANY, IN NEW YORK, IS ON THE WHARF, PIER 42 NORTH RIVER, FOOT OF OAJSTAX. STREET. R. J. Trumbull, Dealer in and Grower of FLOWERS. (Shrubs, BULBS, aFITU&'fiiCfeBmlBW. . - r aVjl TIIEKS, - "WT, " Ktc. i'"np the o.A.nnirN', j5a.m. nmi ma.nion, 43T Nanunit Htrtiri, San FrnncKio tm rlntin CU1 runn pn (ration. SFFDS VS'"- vegetables, '-&&'' Jf.-ff KJ- rSffi Wwt ill BBs! laalElDBL!SaaaaaLaaaH fcnaow Mm. 887. 1W uUi Ml AJCMaKCttOO. tract, NiaaaaaalHaSlaA .THE M.W IMPUUVED HOME SHUTTLE Sewing Machine. PH.IOB, - - S43.00. UE ALSO .SELL The Home Sewing Machine. Thece niacbin'i nae a .buttle, tralelit needle, and make the Lock Stitcli. They are anrpai.d by none. r&ry art tkt iimpUtt and lightttt-runnlng ma eAirtu in Me nwlrf. Send for circular. Mme. Demorest Reliable Patterns. SEND For. A CATALOGUE. Koyal Cbarta, I3.J0. E. W. JUISKS. Aaeut. 17 New Montgomery Street (Grand Hotel Building), Ban rnacuco. Pelton's Six-Fold Horse Power. sJJyyfBMaW PATtFtBR. C. 187,8 f Having made new arrangement with Mr. McKenzle, lam prepared to aupply my power to all person favoring me with tbeir order. All powers boreafter manufactured can only be obtained of me or my agent. In future they will be made under my direction and specification, and nothing but a prime quality of Machinery Iron will be ued in their manufacture. I have greatly improved the application and bracing my Lever which will give them ample itrengtb. All power fully warranted. For further Information, Send for Circular and Price Lilt to Address. Itv9-lam S. PELTON, Patentee. Salem, Oregon. BlmGARP will lend 13 Tlowrrlng riant for On Dollar yonr choice from ldOnortiiJ.by MAIL OB KXPBESS. MY ILLU3IHWLU CATALOUUt, itcrit.lh. ru'nirer.f Planta A Herda, , I enrlm ... frfri ftl.rr. lie. Aildn.. fnTYTRantini ll. W& Warren t., Ilo.tnn. liu. 20 FINE VERBENAS FOR $1. Any of the following named jUnU lent by raU, Mtace iid. At inr.i.TirACh Auk three boMi for cent!, or tlttttu for SI. No order received for lets limn tent. Kuciniai, ueraUiiuuii (uotibic Zonale, htenUil and iv), urgoniaa, carnal loi.i, i iuii. vaivrutui tar( atce, lauia, mi"mji, Abutlloti. Attiyramhui, Coleui, Cjuinai. Clirynan ttietnuin. Hardy fblux, Cupbea, Kupaloreumi, fitevln. rYteriLU. Itllntrfniefl. T1trit,tttm. Llbonla, Maljernld, Pllea.Biullax, Double Petunlal, &olaftmnCaHcasiruin,vcTGnUaK ! wckn A ttr, Ualau, Pttunla, PUlox and Verbvim for 25 ceiiti. My Illtutraud Calaloirue of Xew Plant. Dtrvui i or io,n, ana any iwu icifii or iae above DCUKUi VU Cl iyVI IULt-111. AUUJiTKA u a juuu3&n w.$ xjw, rm. rHEALDS( 5T BRYANT STRATTON i 'BUSINESS COLLEGE I CAN FRANCISr.nfPBEIJ LvLtaaaWLXi .Jfj Publlihed Quarterly. Janiiahy Numbbr Juit miicd, andconuim over 100 I'miks, 500 Lnckavini.h, jticnptioiu of inure tlnn 500 of our belt Flower and Vegetable!, with Direction! lorCuhure, Colored t'LATK, etc. '1 be mot uneful and elegant work or the kind in the world. Only 9J cent lor the yea. PuMi.licd in Ktiuli.h and Oermjn Adii'm 1AME3 V1CK, RochtMer, N. Y. SI m$R&ym-, i mtit-amn.nmm.rirraim nwr&w.mm T w""""f MJiWXS WtA HBStmrfft rv 1 A1 ll l t H ii 3UiavlJ.t-. J