Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/722

580 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [Mar., or fragrance of valuable commodities, such as teas, spices, &c. Indeed, for this purpose, it is superior to the sheet lead, having all its good qualities, com- bined with the innocuousness, in the metal itself, which cannot be claimed for lead under all conditions. The soft metal is non-corrosive, self-soldering, needs no paint, and, in thicker sheets, is eminently adapted for all linings, such as those for coal-oil vessels, water- tanks, casket-coffins, or, indeed, any vessel requiring to be air or water-tight. It is also peculiarly suited to covering damp walls before papering ; and for the back wall of shelving designed for stor- ing articles perishable from possible moisture, such as cutlery, &c. A patent paste firmly unites the different pieces of this metal, when allowed a half inch lap, into one entire solid sheet. After the thin sheets of metal are hung upon the wall with paperhanger's paste, as additional support, a few small tinned tacks are driven in the upper edge, when a little piece of the soft metal fastened with the patent paste, is covered over the head of each tack; and effectually prevents any damage to the super- dependent wall-paper. With this metal beneath the paper, no dampness can strike through. This metal as a lining is effectual against the extreme subtlety of coal- oil ; and is not affected by sulphuric acid at sixty-six degrees. PNEUMATIC GAS. To Prevent Pumps from Freezing. — A cheap and effective way of prevent- ing pumps from freezing in winter is, to take flax tow or rye straw, and twist into ropes, two or three inches in diame- ter, and wrapping around the pump, commencing at the bottom and pressing it down tightly, until it reaches the top. By so doing, they can be kept from freezing in the coldest weather. Each part of the rope may be made about fit- teen feet long. This is one of those most desirable improvements, upon former means and methods of making artificial light, which Architects feel a professional interest in. There is not a gentleman's country residence of any pretensions that does not stand in need of an illuminating gas. The difficulties, with all such offered to the consideration of the architect, are — condensation, liability to get out of order, explosiveness, and disagreeable odor. The Rand Pneumatic Gas, as it is called, from the name of its discoverer, is, it appears to us, the very thing wanted. It is, in fact, what it professes to be, a practically permanent, non-con- densible illuminating gas, by carburet- ting air with liquid hydro-carbon. The points gained hy Rand's processes are so effectual as to produce a gas at once simply manufactured, excellent for all purposes, and at the same time so cheap as to give it unquestionable precedence over all its predecessors and cotempo- raries. A, Air-Pump. B, Test Light. C, Gasometer. D, Hydrocarbon Tank. E, Water-Bath. F, Diluting Pipe. G, Gas Exit. H, Drip Pumps. K, Surface of the Ground. The apparatus for the manufacture of Rand's Pneumatic Gas may be seen at the store of Canby & Brother, 321 Arch street.