Prietors of land often cultivate the mulberry ||cers of that society, which will be found the leaves to families, who rear the worms, at a fixed rate; but it is more usual for in digent families to plant a certain number of trees. They furnish the leaves, feed, and take care of the worms, and return to the owner of the land one equal half of the cocoons produced, which is his share of the income, and a most convenient one it is, to be produced from the trees along the road side, and in places which do not injure his agriculture; and this kind of tenating is of immense benefit to the industrious poor." “I am proud of the sample of silk sent me in your letter, as made in America by the power loom and have shown it to several. The patent law of England and Frauce allows its benefits to aliens, while our law is confined to citizens or resident aliens. You can therefore get a patent here at pleasure. The French are, like all Europeans, slow in acquiring new habits, or making any changes in their pursuits. From this cause in practice, the different mulberries are not heeded. They have white, from habit, and do not yet use the Chinese mulberry. We have more of the Chinese growing than France and Italy together. "I have taken pains to obtain from the government some recent information from India, not yet published; also some recent papers from the National Institute, which, if received, shall be sent out. I attend the public institutions, and especially the weekly meetings of the National Institute and the Agricultural Society, and am much pleased. Massachusetts Society for promoting BENJ. GUILD, Sec'ry. of some consequence, owing to the subsequent mechanical operations, those roots are to be submitted to; and also owing to the aptness of the plant so transplanted to rise out of the ground while growing, which causes a great loss to the sugar manufac turer, since it has been proved by analysis that the portion of the root so exposed to light and air, is far from being so rich with sugar as the part which is under ground; hence the necessity of hoeing and earthing up the roots. Seeds ought to be laid in rows at two feet apart, that distance will allow us to perform the weeding, the hoeing In accordance with the above vote, the and the earthing up easily, by means of a committee therein named, have had an proper hoe or plough, drawn by a horse, interview with Mr. Isnard; and the follow-now generally used in France. The gathering offers nothing particular; ing interesting letter upon the subject of the manufacturing of sugar from the white, or care ought to be taken not to hurt the roots; sugar beet, so called, has been received they should be deprived of their small from him. The committee learning that fibrous roots, and also of all the green part this subject has of late created conversa- of their top to which the leaves adhere.tion amongst the farmers and others, have The stowing of a large quantity of beet been induced to give pulicity to Mr. Isnard's deserves the greatest consideration, in letter, previously to submitting it to the order to prevent their heating; for if they board of Trustees, whose meeting stands vegetate the saccharine principles enter adjourned to the 14th inst. Those of the into new combinations, and sugar can no Trustees to whorn said letter has been com- longer be obtained with the same profit. municated, approve of its immediate publication. Sir,-As you have expressed a wish that the cultivators of this country might be generally informed of the principal observations made in France upon the culture of the sugar beet, and also wha benefits "The science and information from the they might derive by the making of sugar; National Institute is important, and from and for my own part being desirous of fulthe superior intelligence and adaptation of filling the promise I made to the public, in our people, I am sure we shall in America my first communication on the above subfirst practice, and reap benefits from this ject, to give further information when called science. Our advancement is matter of as- for; I have now the honor to transmit to tonishment to Europe, and it is often said to you the following, which appears to me me that we keep a-head of them in all ex-sufficient for the present, being ready at periments reducible to practice." In a note it is added that "The program any time to enlarge on the subject, if of the agricultural meeting, containing rerequired. ports on the proceedings of the last year, I will send by some private conveyance-the medals were given out in my presence. Our Institute need not blush." We republish the following letter for the purpose of spreading all available information on the subject—and also with the design of correcting a slight inaccuracy in a late number, in regard to the species of beet employed. We have always felt the importance of this branch of manufacture to our country, and have sought for information from various sources. We are now happy to have it in our power to state, that we shill shortly receive from one of our friends in Europe, a detailed account of the process a id machinery, embracing the latest im povements. From the Boston Advertiser. BEET ROor SUGAR. The variety of beet to which the sugar manufacturers now give the preference, is the white beet, (Beta alba,) imported into France from Germany; next to it is the yellow beet, (Lutea mojor.) The first ought to be preferred in this climate, as it stands better against frost and rotting. This variety must not be confounded with another very similar, called in French Disette, Scarcity Root, (Beta silvestris,) also white, though very often striped red and white; this last is a great deal larger, more watery, but deficient in sugar. The choice of the best beet will not suf cultivation, in order to enhance and to perfect fice; care ought to be bestowed on the its saccharine principle, and even facilitate the several processes for obtaining the sugar. Deep light, rather sandy, but rich soil is requisite to raise an abundant crop of bect of good quality. Beets raised on a field newly manured have proved to contain salts detrimental to sugar, and which inWe have already published an interest-crease the difficulty of obtaining it. Good ing letter from Mr. Isnard, on the subject pasture land. not marshy, broken up and of the manufacturing of the Beet Root planted with beet, produces the most sacSugar. We now publish another letter on charine roots. The transplanting has been the same subject, addressed by him to the discontinued as more expensive, less certain, President of the Agricultural Society, in and the young plants so transplanted proanswer to some inquiries made by the offi-ducing roots less perfect in shape, a matter In Germany the leaves are carefully dried and used as a fodder for cattle. In France the leaves not immediately used are left on the ground as a manure. The expenses attending the cultivation of one acre of land planted with beet, will vary according to circumstances; every farmer is to judge for himself. The quantity of beet gathered on one acre will also vary even from 300 to 500 bushels. A respectable farmer of this country has assured me, that 600 bushels would not be considered an extraordinary crop on a rich soil, and with proper management. Nothing in this remark ought to surprise us, for admitting the roots at 2 feet apart, 11,000 roots will be gathered on an acre. The average weight of each may be 3 lbs. In fact many will weigh as much as 8 lbs. In the following calculations I take for granted 350 bushels as the average crop of one acre, a bushel of beet to weigh 60 lbs. As to the benefits which a farmer will derive by the cultivation of one acre with 800 lbs. good Muscovado Sugar valued 4 tons of Pumice, a good food for cat- 1 ton of dry leaves, or their value as 12 5 Total, $89 Owing to the want of skill and experi ence, I admit at only 4 lbs. the quantity of sugar obtained, though 5 lbs. is generally obtained, and even some manufacturers obtain as much as 7 lbs. of sugar for every 100 lbs of beet. From this amount ought to be deducted about $5 for sundry ingredients for manufacturing purposes; also the cost of one cord of wood for fuel. The several operations will be performed by the farmer at his leisure time. The expenses for tools, apparatus, &c. &c., can be valued at about $120, but should the works be enlarged so as to work a double or greater qnantity, these expenses would by no means increase in the same ratio. Should a company be formed to carry on conjointly the cultivation and the manufacture of sugar on a large scale, other benefits would be derived-1st. By the improving of a large tract of land. 2d. By the refining of the sugar at a trifling additional expense. 3d. By the fattening of cattle. 4thly. Getting the most of sugar at the least expense possible, by being enabled to secure the service of competent superintendents, and by making use of labor-saving machines moved by steam engines; all of which I am ready to demonstrate on application made to me. the Should these observations, for which I Hindoos. In winter, he says, the Gym, beg your indulgence, be in any way deem-nosophists enjoy the benefit of the sun' ed beneficial for the promotion of this new rays in the open air; and in summer' branch of agricultural industry in this when the heat becomes excessive, they country, they are, sir, at your disposal for pass their time in cool and moist places, whatever circulation you may be pleased under large trees, which, according to the to give them. account of Nearchus, cover a circumfer ence of five acres, and extend their branches so far, that ten thousand men may easily find shelter under them. I have the honor to be, French Vice Consul for Boston AGRICULTURE, &c. THE BANIAN TREE. a account of On the banks of the river Narbuddy, in the province of Guzzarat, is a Banian tree, supposed by some persons to be the one described by Nearchus, and certain. ly not inferior to it. It is distingnished by the name of Cubbeer Burr, which was given it in honor of a tamous saint.High floods have, at various times, swept, In my first communication on this subThis tree which is also called the Burr way a considerable part of this extraor dinary tree; but what still remains, is nearone of the ject, I have stated, that the pumice of beet tree, or the Indian Fig, is ly two thousand feet in circumference, was a better food for cattle than beet in most curious and beautiful of nature's measuring round the principal stems; the their natural state; to this assertion objec- where she sports with the greatest variety down, cover a much larger space, and unproductions in the genial climate of India, overhanging branches, not yet stuck tions have been made; allow me, sir, to support my position by a few observations and profusion. Each tree is in itself ader it grow a number of custard, apple, mole, inasmuch as they will impart a more grove; and some of them are of an and other fruit trees. The large trunks correct knowledge of the benefits that can amazing size and extent, and, contrary of this single tree amount to three hunbe expected by some new improvement in to most other animal and vegetable pro-dred and fifty; and the smaller ones exprocess of making the sugar of beet. ductions, seem to be exempt from decay.ceed three thousand; every one of these By chemical analysis 100 lbs. of beet Every branch from the main body throws are constantly sending forth branches and root prove to contain 85 to 90 lbs. of water, out its own roots; at first, in small, teuder hanging roots, to form other trunks, and 6 to 11 lbs. of sugar, 1 to 2 lbs. ligenous fibres, several yards from the ground; become the parents of a future progeny. substance. Pectic acid, albumic, salts, these continually grow thicker, until, by The Cubbeer Burr is famed throughout earth, together 2 to 24 lbs. The greater gradual descent, they reach the surface, Hindoostan not only on the proportion of water, the less is the pro-and there stick in, they increase to large its great extent, but also of its surpassing portion of sugar. The average quantity of trunks, and become parent trees, shooting beauty. The Indian armies generally juice obtained from 100 lbs. of beet is about out new branches from the tops. These, encamp around it; and at stated seasons, 70 lbs. ; the weight of the punice left is 30 in time, suspend their roots, and receiv- solemn Jattaras, or Hindoo festivals, to lbs. The quantity of sugar extracteding nourishment from the earth, swell which thousands of votaries repair from from 100 lbs. of good beet by those who into trunks, and shoot forth other branches; every part of the Mogul empire, are there are skilled in the process, is now 7 lbs. ; but thus continuing in a state of progression, celebrated. It is said that seven thou from 1 to 2 lbs. of it is mixed in the molas-so long as the earth, the first parent of sand persons find ample room to repose ses; consequently the pumice is propor- them all, contributes her sustenance. under its shade. It has long been the tionably more rich in saccharine principle A Banian tree, with many trunks, forms custom of British residents in India, on than the beet. In its natural state the beet the most beautiful walks, vistas, and cool their hunting and shooting parties, to form holds 85 per cent of water; the juice ob- recesses, that can be imagined. The extensive encampments, and spend weeks tained from it holds 63 lbs. of water; then leaves are large, soft, and of a lively together ander, this delightful and magni. 22 lbs, of water remain in the 30 lbs. of green; the fruit is a small fig, when ripe, ficent pavilion, which affords a shelter to pumice; consequently in less proportion of a bright scarlet, affording sustenance all travellers, particularly to the religious than in the beet. This is not all, in the to monkeys, squirrels, peacocks, and birds tribes of the Hindoos. pumice the water is almost solidified, as it of various kinds, which dwell among the has been observed, by the pectic acid, which branches. is combined with it, and contributes in a great measure to render the pumice so nutritious; if added to this, that the puruice is easily chewed and better digested, it is not surprising that cattle relish it more than the common beet, and thrive exceedingly well when fed upon it. It is generally filled with greenwood pigeons, doves, peacocks, and a variety of feathered songsters-with monkeys, which both divert the spectator, by their antic tricks, and interest him by the paternal affection they display to their young offspring, in teaching them to select their food, and to exert themselves in jumping from bough to bough. This tree affords not only shelter, but sustenance to all its inhabitants, being covered amidst its bright foilage with small ags, of a rich scarlet, on which they all regale with as much delight as the lords of the creation on their most costly fare, in their parties of pleasure. The Hindoos are peculiarly fond of the Banian tree; they consider its long duration, its outstretching arms, and its overshadowing beneficence, as emblems of the Deity, and almost pay it divine honors. The Bramins, who thus find a fane in every sacred grove, spend The following is fact: the first year I much of their time in religious solitude, manufactured sugar in France, I offered under the shade of the Banian tree; they the pumice for sale, for what milkmen plant it near their temples or pagodas; were pleased to give; they soon finding the and in those villages where there are no benefit derived from it, offered more for it structures erected for public worship, than for common beets. Wishing to ascer- they place an image under one of these tain what price they were willing to pay trees, and there perform a morning and for it, I asked as much as one half more evening sacrifice. The natives of al This tree, which is doubtless one of than the price I paid for common beet (all casts and tribes are found recreating in the most singular and magnificent objects by the weight) and yet found a sale for it. the cool recesses, beautiful walks, and in the vegetable kingdom, appears to be They said that 100 lbs. of pumice wenovely vistas of this umbrageous canopy a world in miniature, in which thousands further than an equal weight of beet; that unpervious to the hottest beams of a tro- both of the human beings and of the inthey were saved the trouble of washing and ical sun. These are the trees under ferior tribes that traverse the earth and cutting them; that when feeding cows which a sect of naked philosophers, call-air, may find ample accommodation and with pumice they could save the dry fooded Gymnosophists, assembled in Arian's subsistence. What a striking contrast they were obliged to give them, when feed lays, and this historian of ancient Greece does it present to the forests of trees, or ing them with beet. resents a true picture of the modern mushrooms, which are perceived by the ton. aid of the microscope, in a piece of land so recut. THE ICE TRADE BETWEEN AMERICA AND IN- The ice is stored in ware- tution for the long-established process of houses constructed for the purpose at Bos-cooling. There may also be some doubts of the best mode of preserving so fleeting The shipping it to the West Indies, a a commodity; but on this head we cannot voyage tion is used. The whole hold of the vessel sued on a large scale on board of the Tus. of ten or fifteen days, little precau- but advise an imitation of the methods pur. is filled with it, having a lining of tan, about cany. For the application of the ice to the four inches thick, upon the bottom and purposes of cooling ample directions have sides of the hold; and the top lifts covered been given in the "Gleanings of Science," with a layer of hay. The hatches are then vol. ii. p. 120. A box or basket, or tin closed, and are not allowed to be opened till case, with several folds of blankets, or havally measured for shipping, and each cord any non-conducting substance, will prethe ice is ready to be discharged. It is usuing a double case lined with paddy chaff, or reckoned at three tons; a cubic foot weighs serve the ice until wanted; and for cooling 58 lbs. water or wine, the most effectual method of all is to put a lump of the clear crystal into the liquid. The next best is to spread fragments upon the bottles laid horizontally, and have them wrapped in flannel for a couple of hours. follows: same manner. For the voyage to India, a much longer one than had been hitherto attempted, some additional precautions were deemed necessary for the preservation of the ice. The The arrival of the Tuscany with a cargo from the after part of the forward hatch to ice hold was an insulated house, extending So effectual was the non-conducting pow of ice from America forms an epoch in the the forward part of the after hatch, about er of the ice-house on board, that a ther history of Calcutta worthy of commemoration,as a facetious friend remarked, in a med-fifty feet in length. It was constructed as mometer placed on it did not differ percep al of frosted silver. In the month of May -a floor of one inch deal planks tibly from one in the cabin. From the temlast we received a present of some ice from was first laid down upon the dunnage at perature of the water pumped out, and that Dr. Wise at Hugli, (whose efforts have the bottom of the vessel; over this was of the air in the rim of the vessel, Mr. Dixbeen so long directed to the extension of its strewed a layer, one foot thick of tan; that well ascertained that the temperature of the manufacture by the native process,) as a is, the refuse bark from the tanners' pits, hold was not sensibly affected by the ice. proof that the precious luxury might be thoroughly dried, which is found to be a Upon leaving the tropic, and running rapidpreserved by careful husbandry until the very good and cheap non-conductor: overly into higher latitudes, it retained its heat season when its coolness was the most four sides of the ice hold were built up in weeks in high latitudes, and becoming coolthis was laid another deal planking, and the for some time; but after being several grateful, little did we then contemplate being able to return the compliment, with a exactly the same manner, insulated from ed to the temperature of the external air solid lump of the clearest crystal ice at the the sides of the vessel. The pump, well, and sea, it took more than ten days in the conclusion of the rains! nor that we should and main-mast, were boxed around in the tropics before the hold was heated again to the tropical standard.-London Mechanics' be finally indebted to American enterprise for the realization of a pleasure for which The cubes of the ice were then packed Magazine. we have so long envied our more fortunate or built together so close as to leave no countrymen in the upper provinces; nay, space between them, and to make the whole even the beggars of Bokhara, who in a cli- one solid mass: about 180 tons were thus mate at times more sultry than ours, ac- stowed. On the top was pressed down cording to Lieutenant Burnes, "purchase closely a foot of hay, and the whole was shut up from access of air, with a deal ice for their water, even while entreating the bounty of the passenger." Professor planking one inch thick nailed upon the Leslie with his thousand glass exhausters, lower surface of the lower deck timbers; and his beautiful steam-air pumps, tanta- the space between the planks and deck be. lized us with the hopes of a costly treat,ing stuffed with tan. and ruined poor Taylor, the bold adopter of his theory; but Science must in this new instance, as on many former occasions, confess herself vanquished or forestalled by the simple practical discovery, that a body of ice may be easily conveyed from one side of the globe to the other, crossing the line twice, with a very moderate loss from liquefaction. We are indebted to Mr. J J. Dixwell, the agent of the proprietors, for the following interesting particulars relative to the Tuscany's novel cargo, and the mode of shipping ice from America for foreign consump tion. On the surface of the ice, at two places, was introduced a kind of float, having a guage rod passing through a stuffing-box in the cover; the object of which was to denote the gradual decrease of the ice, as it melted and subsided bodily. The ice was shipped on the 6th and 7th of May, 1833, and discharged in Calcutta on the 13th, 14th 15th, and 16th of September, making the voyage in four months and seven days. The amount of wastage could not be exactly ascertained from the sinking of the ice-guage; because, on opening the chamber, it was found that the ice had melted between each block, and not from The supplying of ice to the West Indies the exterior only, in the manner of one and to the southern States of the Union, solid mass, as was anticipated. CalculaNew-Orleans, &c., has become within these ting from the rods, aud from the diminished few years an extensive branch of trade un- draught of the ship, Mr. Dixwell estimated der the successful exertions of its origina. the loss on arrival at Diamond Harbor, to tor, Frederick Gudar, Esq., of Boston, with be fifty-five tons, six or eight tons more bewhom S. Austen, Esq., and Mr. W. C. Ro- ing lost during the passage up the river; gers, are associated in the present specula-and probably about twenty in landing. tion. SPECIFICATION OF THE PATENT GRANTED TO JOHN BIRD, OF BIRMINGHAM, FOR AN IM- My improved method of making and com. In order to make printers' ink, I take as large a portion of this prepared compound as I deem necessary, and mix and grind it up with boiled oil, or prepared oil, usually nsed in the making of inks, which when so prepared, is my improved method of making and compounding printers' ink. To make ink used in copper-plate printing, I adopt the method now in use, substituting the above-mentioned compound, in lieu of About one hundred tons, say three thou- Franckfort black, or what is usually desigThe ponds from which the Boston ice is sand maunds, were finally deposited in the nated by that name. I then, in order to cut, are situated within ten miles of the ice-house on shore; a lower room in a make and compound paints and other pigcity; it is also procured from the Kennebec house at Brightman's Ghaut; rapidly floor-ments, take in those proportions I find ne. and Penobscot rivers, in the state of Maineed, and lined with planks for the occasion. cessary of the above matter, and mix and where it is deposited in ice-houses on the The sale has not, we believe, been so compound it with oils, spirits, or any other banks and shipped from thence to the capi- rapid as might have been expected, amount-substance requisite for making paints and tal. A peculiar machine is used to cut it ing to no more than ten maunds per diem, other pigments, under which last descripfrom the ponds in blocks of two feet square, although Mr. Rogers has fixed the price at I include the making of blacking. and from one foot to eighteen inches thick. the low rate of four annas per seer, oue In the manufacture of ink, blackin,g varying according to the intensity of the half of the price estimated for the Hugli paints or other pigments, I do not confine season. If the winter does not prove se-ice, which was calculated to be somewhat myself to any particular quantities of the vere enough to freeze the water to a conve.cheaper in proportion than saltpetre. The ingredients above-mentioned, but take any nient thickness, the square slabs are laid public requires to be habituated to it, and quantities thereof, which are found most again over the sheet ice, un'il consolidated to be satisfied of the economy of its substi-desirable. I claim no exclusive privilege for the use || friction off the bobbin, and as it is made oflent parts, or wheels, of the doffer, entirely of any other matter in making and com-metal, is durable, and runs without noise. pounding inks, paints or other pigments, except the use of the compound above described, and for the use of the said com. pound, and for mixing it in any way, or in any proportion convenient for the making inks, paints, and other pigments, I do hereby claim the exclusive privilege. In witness whereof, &c. Enrolled April 15, 1836. From the Journal of the American Institute. THE DANFORTH, OR CAP SPINNER. Mr. D. has patented his invention in this country, and caused patents to be taken in England, and other European states. This mode of spinning has now been thoroughly tested, both for warp and weft, and is found to be capable of producing full 40 per cent. more yarn, on counts or numbers, from No. 14 to 50, than any other mode heretofore known. It is generally approved of by the spinners who have tried it, and has gone into use, both in this country as well as Europe, more rapidly than any other improvement in spinning has before been known to do. separate, as it is taken off by the top rolls, hereinafter described. The next are a set of pulleys, or wheels, or rims, which I call the top rolls; they are equal in number to the different rims of the doffer, four or five inches in diameter; they may be a little less in thickness than the width of the different rims of the doffer, so that the division rolls may revolve freely between them, placed so as to revolve in contact with their correspondent rims of the doffer, for the purpose of taking the wool from it, and so placed as that they will so bear upon the shaft of the division rolls as to be turned by it. A comb, if necessary, may be attached to this doffer, The principle is such, that instead of to clear the wool from it. The wool taken making the thread drag the bobbin, the bob- from the doffer by these top rolls, kept in bin is made to drag the thread, and the re-separate laminæ, or flakes, by the division sistance of the atmosphere, together with rolls, drawn over the shaft of the division the slight friction on the lower edge of the rolls, may be passed through a tube, or a ring, produces that retardation necessary belt, and then run on a spool, or spools; for winding the yarn on the bobbin, in con- or by a flyer properly rplaced, it may at sequence of which the tension on all the once be twisted into a thread. By regulathreads is perfectly uniform, and at the ting the feed of the card, and the speed of same time delicate, giving a great uniform- the division rolls, the size of the roping, ity and elasticity to the yarn. and of thread, i. e. the fineness of them, may be regulated, or adjusted, to suit the work required. This machine was invented in 1828, by Charles Danforth, a native of Massachusetts, and is probably the greatest improve. ment on the throstle that has been made since the days of Sir Richard Arkwright. Mr. D. resided at the time in Rockland county, N. Y. He had been employed for a number of years as an operator of cotton machinery, and having had experience on the common throstle as well as the Waltham dead spindle, he was aware that the two greatest impediments in these modes of spinning, were the difficulty of making the flyer exactly balanced, and the drag of the bobbin by the strength of the yarn. He thought if any plan could be contrived to wind the yarn on the bobbin without the use of the flyer, it would enable him to run the bobbin very fast. After some reflection it occurred to him that a bobbin running on a fixed spindle, and circumscribed by a smooth stationary polished ring, suspended from or fixed to the top of the spin- SPECIFICATION OF a PATENT FOR A DOFdle, might produce the desired result. He accordingly proceeded to make the experiment. He first permanently secured a throstle spindle in the frame to prevent its turning; and after cutting the curls from the prongs of the flyer, rivetted to them a smooth ring which passed round the bobbin. He then turned a groove in the lower head of the bobbin, for the driving band to run in, and having put all together, and put the bobbin in motion, he fixed up his thread, and filled a bobbin without any difficulty. This machine requires much less power to drive it than the common throstle. They are made and sold by Messrs. I claim as my invention, and not before Godwin, Clark & Co., at their shop in Pat-known, the doffer before described, together terson, N. J., who are the proprietors of the with the top rolls, and division rolls, to corpatent, and manufacturers of all kinds of respond with it. cotton and woollen machinery. STEPHEN R. PARKHURST. FER FOR WOOL CARDING MACHINES. From the London Repertory of Patent Inventions. SPECIFICATION OF THE PATENT GRANTED TO HENRY BOOTH, OF LIVERPOOL, FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES AND RAILWAY CARRIAGES. SEALED JANUARY 23, 1836. My improvement applicable to railway carriages I declare to be a new mode of is effected an increased steadiness and connecting the carriages together, by which smoothness of motion at high velocities, and which consists in an improved connecting apparatus, by the action of which the buffers of the separate carriages of a train prevent that independent lateral and serpenheld in contact with each other, so as to tine motion, which railway carriages moving at high velocities assume when they are attached together in the usual way by a simple draw chain. To all persons to whom these presents! shall come, be it known, that I, Stephen R. Parkhurst, of Providence, in the county of Providence, and State of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, have invented a new and useful doffer, with corresponding rolls, for the wool card, called a finisher.Instead of a continuous cylinder, this doffer is composed of a set of wheels, or pulleys, of equal diameter with the common doffer, covered with a card in the same way, of three or four inches thickness at the rims, to revolve like the common doffer, placed upon their shaft, an inch, or an inch and a Description of the Drawing.-Fig. 1, half, apart, and a small angle and parallel shows the mode in which railway carriages with each other, and making such an angle have usually been attached to each other by with the shaft as that the spaces between simple chain, the buffers of one carriage not coming in contact with those of anothmay be fully compensated in their revolu-er, but each carriage being allowed, when tion, and the whole surface of the main moving onwards, a lateral oscillating mocylinder be passed over by them; and their tion. a It was perceived in this first attempt, that the tension on the yarn while spinning was very light, and the yarn wound soft on the bobbin; it was therefore thought that the principle would be good for spinning weft, which requires to be slack twisted. He therefore constructed his first machines for weft, and after making various experiments, fixed on the present mode of making and supporting the stationary ring, which is a cap similar in shape to an inverted tumbler, with a polished steel ring on the bottom, rims, or outer surfaces, must be parallel to Figs. 2 and 3, show the improved mode having a conical socket in the top, made to to their shaft, so as to conform to the of connection for which I claim my patent. fit a small cone on the top of the spindle. surface of the main cylinder. Next, there, is the connecting chain attached to the The spindle is of sufficient length to ad- is a set of pulleys, which I call division draw bar of each carriage, and consists of mit the bobbin to traverse its length on it, rollers; these may be about four inches two long links or shackles,) the sockets of a double working screw (working within and is secured to the spindle rail at the bot- in diameter, for a common doffer, of the which are spirally threaded to receive the tom. It was found that the bobbin, which same thickness with the spaces between screw bolts which are fastened together by is of wood, running at the rate of 7000 re- the different rims, or pulleys, of the dof-a pin and cotter-so that by turning the arm volutions per minute, on a fixed spindle, fer, placed upon their shaft at the same or lever, z, of the said screws, the connectwas apt to get dry, make a loud noise, and angle, turned by a belt, or gear placed ing apparatus is lengthened or shortened at cause the bobbin to wear :-to obviate this before the doffer, with their shaft pleasure, to the extent of the long links or shackles above alluded to, in which they difficulty, a warve was made, with a tube on little lower than the shaft of the doffer, and work. This screw chain being placed on the top of sufficient length to pass through so placed that their outer edges will be a the hooks, or turned up ends of the carriage the bobbin, on which the bobbin is placed little within the rims of the doffer, for the draw bars (D), the buffers (B) of each adand revolves with it; this warve takes the purpose of keeping the wool on the differ-joining carriage being first brought close or a nearly close together, the lever (z) is turn-which I denominate the Metallic Cotton||stices, should be of such dimensions that ed round a few times till the draw bars (D) Seed Huller, and that the following is a full the silk worm will lie and feed upon them, are drawn an inch or two beyond their and exact description thereof. and the litter of the worms fall through. shoulders, on the face of the carriage frame Upon an iron shaft, revolving horizon- Now, be it known, that I, Gamaliel Gay, (c), stretching the draw springs (to which tally, I place two, or any other convenient the draw bars are attached), to the extent of number of steel or iron disks, or circular have invented, and applied to use, a rea fourth or fifth part of their whole elasti- plates of metal, so as to run with perfect volving apron, for receiving upon it, and city; and by that degree of force attaching truth upon the shafts; disks of eighteen removing, the litter of the silk-worms, which the buffers of the adjoining carriages to inches in diameter, I have found to answer falls through the hurdles, as above mentiongether, and giving by this means, to a train the purpose perfectly well. By means of aed. The specification of which new and of carriages, a combined steadiness and pointed chisel I raise teeth, in the manner useful invention, for receiving and removsmoothness of motion at rapid speeds, of rasp teeth, on each side of these revolving the litter of silk worms, as follows: which they have not, when the butlers of ing disks, or I groove, or roughen them in The revolving apron for a single hurdle, each carriage are separate from those of the any other manner calculated to produce the is constructed by placing in a frame, or adjoining carriage. w, is a weight to keep intended effect. The disks, as they revolve, the lever in a vertical position and prevent pass through the flat bottom of a hopper, otherwise at, and immediately under each the unscrewing of the chain when in ac- by which they are surmounted, projecting end of the hurdle, a roller, or cylinder, in above the said bottom about one third of length equal to the width of the hurdle; Now I do not claim as new the separate their diameter. Steel plates, cut like the over these cylinders, or rollers, extending parts before described of the buffers, screw disks, are placed on each side of them; the from the outside of the periphery of the one, chain, or draw-bars, attached to a draw upper edges of these plates are on a level over and around that of the other is affixed spring, but I claim the combination and with the bottom of the hopper, and they ex- an endless apron of cloth, or other flexible joint action of those parts as described, and tend down to the lower part of the revolvthe consequent close, but elastic attach-ing disks, covering about one-fourth part of substance, equal, at least in width, to the ment of the carriages to each other, which the face thereof, this having been found suf-width of the hurdle. This apron being constitutes my improvement applicable to |ficient to effect the hulling, perfectly.-drawn tight around the rollers, and the railway carriages. These latteral plates are attached to ad- ends fastened together, is made to re tion. And my improvement applicable to the justable sliding bars, or fixed in any other volve around both rollers, by turning them locomotive engines which draw the railway way which will admit of their distance by a crank affixed to the axle of one carriages, I declare to be a new mode of from the disks being regulated according to of them, or by otherwise revolving the rollchecking the speed of the engine, or stop-the kind of seed to be hulled. It has been ers. The endless apron being thus conping it altogether, which is effected by in- found best not to increase the opening be- structed, receives the litter from the hurtroducing a throttle valve, slide, or damper, tween the plates and disks at the upper into the exhausting steam pipe of the en-edge, but to preserve their parallelism dle as it falls through, which litter, by causgine, commonly called the blast pipe, which throughout, so that but one seed can find ing a semi-revolution of the apron, is reis usually placed in the chimney, in front of its way between them at a time. moved from under the hurdles, and caused the engine; and which throttle valve may The seeds and hulls fall upon a sloping to fall in a heap at one and either end of be most conveniently introduced where the skreen, or riddle, which is made to shake, the hurdles, and may be suffered to fall two exhausting pipes are united into one, and to carry the portion which does not pass from the apron either upon the floor, or inbelow the place where the pipe is contracted through the riddle to a revolving picker, to a vessel placed at, and partly under, the in area for the purpose of producing a blast placed at one end of the frame; this picker, end of the hurdle, and below the outer perto the furnace. From the throttle valve and the hollow segment within which it remust proceed a rod or long handle extend- volves, are set with teeth in the manner of iphery of the roller. ing through the chimney to the back part or a picker for wool, and serve to separate the In case two or more hurdles be placed the boiler, so as to lie within convenient matted portion of the hulls, cotton, and in tiers, one above the other, the same reach of the engine-man, who by moving seed, so that the lighter portion may be the said handle, can close the slide or throttle driven off by a revolving fan placed at the less and separate apron is required for each apron may be used, in which case an endvalve, either partially or altogether as may lower part of the machine for the purpose hurdle; but the best method, the most conbe required. And the throttle valve need of cleaning the hulled seed. not be altogether steam tight, but should be The riddles, screens, shakers, fan, &c. venient and least expensive form of apparmade to work freely in its place. The en- which I employ, do not differ from such as atus, and which I claim as a constituent gine-man when he wishes to stop or slack- are in common use for cleaning grain and part of my invention, is constructed as folen the speed of his engine, closes or con- other seed, and do not, therefore, require to lows. Let there be rollers, or cylinders, tracts his throttle valve without shutting off be particularly described, as they make no affixed under each end of each hurdle, the the steam in its passage from the boiler to part of my invention, and may be variousthe engine. The pistons, by that meaus, same as in case of a single hurdle; to one are speedily, but not suddenly or violentlyy modified, or used separately from the roller, below the lower hurdle, attach one hulling apparatus. checked, and the driving wheels of the en- What I claim as my invention, and wish end of an apron, of the kind and proporgine no longer revolving, or revolving very to secure by letters patent, is the hulling of tionate width first above specified; let this slowly, the engine is soon brought to a cotton, and other seed, by means of revolv- apron pass under the opposite roller, over stand. Now I do not claim as new, any ing disks, or plates of steel. or other metal, the roller next immediately above that, unparticular kind of throttle valve, which may made and operating substantially in the der the roller next immediately above the be left to the judgment of the engineer, pro- manner herein before set forth. vided it be so constructed that when open first roller to which the apron is attached, the steam way be not contracted, but may over the next above roller, and under the allow the steam to escape freely as if no next opposite one; and so on according to valve or damper were introduced. But I the number of hurdles in the tier, until the claim the introduction of a throttle valve, or Specification for a Patent for an improve-apron reaches the last roller to which the damper, into the exhausting steam-pipe of a ment in the Rearing of Silk Worms; apron should be attached, after adding to locomotive engine, by closing or contract- Granted to GAMALIEL GAY, Pough- the length of the apron at least the length ing which the engine-man can check or stop his engine at pleasure. In witness keepsie, Dutchess county, New York, of one of the hurdles, which should be rollwhereof, &c. Oct. 6, 1835. ed upon the last mentioned roller. The To all to whom these presents shall apron thus passing under each hurdle, recome, I, Gamaliel Gay, of the town of ceives all the litter falling from each, which Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess, litter is discharged, part at one end, and and state of New York, send greeting. part at the other end of the hurdles, by Enrolled March 21, 1836. SPECIFICATION OF A PATENT FOR A MA- To all whom it may concern, be it known, JOHN AMBLER, JR. The hurdles for rearing and feeding silk turning the first mentioned roller so as to worms upon, are, or should be, made on a wind over and around it a quantity of the horizontal, four-sided frame, of convenient apron equal to the length of the above hurthat I, John Ambler, Jr. of the city of Phil. width and length, and bottomed with cane, dle, which winding causes an equal quantiadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, or twine, either reticulated, or having inter-ty of the apron to unwind from the roller to have invented an improved machine for stices between each slat of the cane, or which the other end of the roller is attached; hulling and cleaning cotton and other see d thread of twine; which meshes, or inter-after the litter is thus discharged from the |