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By John Jermain Porter

PAGE. I. INtroduction............ 191 I1. Derivation of Formula foR Fuel-RequiRements.... 192 1. Heat Available in the Hearth........193 a. Method of Calculation..193 b. Data for the Determination of Critical Temperature.. 195 2. Heat Necessary in the Hearth ...... 197 a. To Care for Slag..197 b. To Care for Pig-Iron...198 c. To Reduce Silicon........198 d. For Other Items.........199 3. The Effects of Rate of Driving ..... 199 4. Loss of Carbon Between Throat and Hearth.....201 a. Solubility of Coke..201 b. Carbon-Loss Due to Flux....201 c. Effects of Reducibility of Ore..202 5. The Formula as Used........203 III. The LImitations of the Formula........ 204 1. Through Effects of Irregular Furnace-Work.....204 2. Through Ratio Between Heat-Requirements in Shaft and Hearth. 20.5 IV. The Formula Applied to Actual Furnace-Records,.. 209 1. Description of Furnace-Stock........ 209 2. Furnace Dam..........210 3. Application of Formula..211 4. Average Furnace-Practice..213 V. Sources of Error........... 214 VI. SuggesTions for Practical Methods of Fuel-Economy... 215 VII. Efficiency as a Factor in Furnace-Management.... 219 1. The Efficiency Principle........ 219 2. The Application to the Blast-Furnace..220 I. Introduction. The heat-balance of the blast-furnace has been a favorite subject for discussion for many years. and its study has contributed much to our knowledge. and still possesses a certain academic interest. As a means of accounting for differences in fuel-consumption, however. it has failed utterly. and it is evident that we must look elsewhere for the means of accomplishing this end.

Jan 1, 1912

By John W. Cahn, John E. Hilliard

Single crystals of copper and silicon-iron were cold rolled in orientations chosen to produce individually the major components of the poly crystalline deformation texture. The orientation dependence of the recrystallization kinetics was studied relative to the primary recrystallization textures of these specimens. It is not possible to rationalize the poly crystalline re crystallized textures on this basis. The results suggest an important role of the interaction of adjacent crystals during the deformation of aggregates. BRICK and Williamson1 first noted evidence that the recrystallization temperature was different for straight-rolled and cross-rolled copper given comparable reductions. Michalak and Hibbard2 investigated quantitatively the effect of rolling procedure on the kinetics of recrystallization of cold-rolled copper and found that material cold-rolled the same amount by straight-pass, cross-pass, and compression-pass techniques developed different deformation and recrystallization textures, different 1-hr recrystallization temperatures, and different recrystallization kinetics. However, the temperature dependence of the rate of recrystallization was essentially the same for all techniques. Similar results were obtained on iron. Dunn and Koh3 in studying the recrystallization textures of cold-rolled silicon-iron single crystals reported large differences in the annealing temperatures and times required to recrystallize specimens of different orientations cold-rolled the same amount. Liu4 and Liu and Hibbard5 utilized the concept of different recrystallization temperatures for different orientations of cold-rolled crystals to rationalize the difference in recrystallization textures found in various face-centered-cubic metals. Their explanation predicted a significant difference in the recrystallization kinetics of deformed (110) [112] crystals as compared to (358) [352] crystals, and, in fact, Liu4 reported evidence that this difference existed at least qualitatively. Verbraak6 who rolled and recrystallized a series of copper single crystals found that the double (112) [111] rolled orientation is related to recrystallized cube texture formation. The effect of rolling intensity on the relative amount of cube component suggests an important role of recrystallization kinetics. Walter and Hibbard7 while trying to relate the behavior of rolled and recrystallized single crystals of silicon-iron to the behavior of polycrystal-line silicon-iron again noted that differences in recrystallization kinetics were necessary to rationalize their results. The purpose of the present investigation was to obtain quantitative kinetic data on the recrystallization of single crystals of both copper and silicon-iron rolled to initial isolated individual orientations corresponding to those found in the polycrystalline deformation textures. These data might indicate the importance of the deformation orientation, i.e. the range of available nuclei, the deformed matrix orientation into which these nuclei grow, and the orientation dependence of their growth rate during primary recrystallization on this texture. I. COPPER Experimental Procedure—A single crystal of 99.98 pet purity copper, grown by the Bridgman technique, was purchased in the form of a bar 1 1/2

Jan 1, 1962

By Albert R. Ledoux

With the improvements in design and efficiency of machinery the element of danger in its use is becoming less, but it is a question whether the strain involved in operating modern plants is not increasing somewhat the danger of accident due to human fallibility. I propose to describe a somewhat uncommon casualty resulting from a not infrequent incident in the use of air-compressors. It is not necessary to state the location of the mine in which the accident occurred nor the makers of the compreseor, and the object of this brief paper is more to draw out suggestions from members more familiar than am I with the practical handling of mining machinery, than to point a moral. The compressor in question was a three-drill machine of standard make. At the time of the accident it was furnishing air to a single drill working in an upraise from a well-ventilated tunnel, and giving ventilation to a winze below the tnnnel where two men were hand-drilling. The compressor also furnished power to a small hoist in the winze, but the hoist was only operated occasionally, and never while the drills were working. The drills were located about 1200 ft. from the compressor. The engineer testified that he never had been short of air, and that there had been no complaillts that the

Jan 1, 1904

By Richard D. Harvey, Arthur M. Squires, Robert A. Graff, George Kan

Particles of half-calcined dolomite (CaC03 + MgO) that had undergone cyclic absorption of H2S and regeneration with C02 in laboratory tests reveal enlargement of the crystallite grain structure, reduction in the number of pores but enlargement in their size, and partial development of a relatively dense mosaic microstructure on outer surfaces of cyclically reacted particles. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, microprobe analysis, and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to evaluate microstructural properties of particles after tests conducted at pressures of 1 and 21 atm and temperatures of 7000 to 9000 C. The tests conducted at 7500 C and 21 atm showed the most favorable absorption and regeneration capacities of the dolomite tested. The changes in structure and pores play a major role in reducing the sulfur reactivity of half-calcined dolomite particles. The mosaic microstructure forms more rapidly at 1 atm than at 21 atm pressure. Once it occurs it seals the surface of the natural pore channels that existed in the half-calcined dolomite and restricts further conversion of crystallites of CaCO3 within the particles. Although a relatively coarse, granular mosaic of crystallites is present on some particles cycled at 21 atm pressure after only three absorption-regeneration cycles, it does not completely cover the particles, and that is true even after 30 cycles. Individual crystallites of MgO were not resolved by the X-ray microanalysis, but we believe that during the tests the MgO occurs as crystallites no more than 0.1 um in diameter that are homogeneously distributed through the particles, and it remains essentially inert during the reactions. The MgO contributes to the maintenance of the original fine-grained and microporous structure of the particles, an effect that is most advantageous to absorption and regeneration.

Jan 1, 1976

By O. C. Wheeler

Peru, if it is judged on a basis of its annual production rate, can be ranked seventh among the oil-producing countries of the Western Hemisphere. In 1945, as in each of the three previous years, the country again produced about 14 million barrels of crude petroleum.

Jan 1, 1946

By J. D. Lubahn, R. P. Carreker, J. G. Leschen

The formation of slip bands in crystalline solids undergoing plastic deformation has recently been treated as a problem of nu-cleation and growth.' A simplified theory was developed and shown to be qualitatively consistent with certain experimental observations reported in the literature, such as the frequent failure of slip bands to traverse the entire crystal, the effect of specimen diameter and temperature on the yield stress, and the occurrence of incubation periods in the deformation of suddenly loaded crystals. The theory further predicts the appearance of transients in the rate of strain of a crystal when the applied stress is suddenly changed from one constant value to another. A transient consists of a discontinuous change in the strain rate followed by a gradual approach to a steady-state value. Such transient behavior apparently has not been recognized in previous experimental work. The preliminary experiments reported in the present paper were undertaken to confirm the existence of the predicted transients and thus to determine whether a more detailed treatment of the nucleation theory of slip might be theoretically and experimentally fruitful. Experimental Procedure A simple creep apparatus was assembled as shown in Fig I. Very little insulation was used on the furnace in order to facilitate rapid changes of temperature. Temperature was measured with a thermometer placed in the center of the furnace and was controlled by adjusting the Variac setting. The specimens were cold-headed in split-cylinder grips. The strain was measured as total elongation by a dial gauge sensitive to I/I0,000-in movement of the weight pan. Since the specimen gauge lengths were

Jan 1, 1949

By E. S. Machlin

The wzodel of Blandin and Diplunt;, generalized to include a phase factor, is applied to the carbon-carbon interaction in iron. Darken&apos;s "energetic" model is generalized to include not only first neighbor interactions but further neighbor interactions as well. On the bases of these generalized models relations are derived for the activity of carbon in both austenite and ferrite in terms of the carbon-carbon Pair interaction energies. A single function then yields the pair interaction energies consistent with the experimental activities of carbon in both ferrite and austenite. Thus, a simple explanation is given for the observation that the nearest-neighbor interaction between carbon is repulsive in austenite and attractive in ferrite. Certain consequences of this approach are explored. OnE object of the present paper is to attempt to take into account the consequences of electrostatic contributions to the carbon-carbon pair interaction energy for carbon as a solute in iron. Friedel&apos; has shown that oscillations in electrostatic potential are to be expected about a solute atom in a metallic solution. Blandin and 6lant6&apos; have shown that such oscillations yield an interaction energy between pairs of solute atoms that obeys the relation: W{ = A cos(2ftFri + 4>)/(kFri)3 [l] where kF = Fermi wave vector, ri = distance between solute atoms comprising the pair7 <p = phase factor dependent only on electronic nature of solute and solvent, A = coefficient dependent only on electronic nature of solute and solvent. Machlin3 found that Eq. [I] accurately described the pair interaction energy derived from short-range order measurements based on field ion microscope observations of dilute alloys of platinum. He also found that the value of the phase factor $ derived from residual resistivity measurements agreed well with that obtained from the analysis of the short-range order data. Harrison and paskin4 were able to predict the long-range ordering energy of 0 brass using Relation [I] and residual resistivity values to predict the value of the phase factor $. Machlin5 has repeated their analysis and applied it to the prediction of the long-range ordering energy in AgZn and AgCd with excellent agreement between prediction and experiment. Both A and $ are independent of the crystal structure. The Fermi wave vector depends uniquely upon the conduction electron concentration per unit volume in the spherical approximation of the Fermi surface. Thus, Eq. [I] is expected to apply to both fer- rite and austenite with only one set of values of A and $. Mossbauer studies6 yield the result that iron has one 4s electron. We shall make an assumption found to hold previously for platinum3&apos;7 and nikel, which is that only the s electrons are involved in shielding the perturbing potential of carbon. With this assumption, kF = 1.35 A-l. Although A and $ may be obtained from certain mdels&apos;&apos;&apos; we shall take A and $ to be empirical constants in the spirit of Kohn and osko.&apos; Thus, Eq. [I] involves two adjustible parameters. Consequently, two independent relations in A and $I are required in order to evaluate them for carbon as a solute in iron. We may use a recent analysis of Aaronson, Domain, and poundg who showed that Darken&apos;s energetic model,1° as well as others, can be used to describe the activity-temperature data for carbon in iron in both the aus-tenitic and ferritic phases. Darken&apos;s model takes into account only first neighbor pair interactions. For our needs, all neighbor pairs need to be taken into account. It is convenient to generalize Darken&apos;s model. The result for the partition function for austenite is: over the temperature range 800" to 1200°C and where the uncertainty corresponds to one standard deviation. Eq. [4] effectively yields only one relation. Another relation is required to obtain unique values for A and $. One property of Eq. [4] is that it is independent of crystal structure. Hence, data for a iron can be used to obtain another relation. To arrive at this relation we must generalize Eqs. [2] and [3] so that they may be applied to the bcc a iron. The result is that:

Jan 1, 1969

Bailey, Lewis Newton, Master Engineer, Senior Grade, 4th Regiment, U. S. Engineers, Headquarters Company, died of pneumonia at Camp Merritt, N. J., on April 30, 1918. Baird, Louis, Lieut., Royal Field Artillery, British Army, died on the battlefield in 1915. Ballamy, John H., Capt., 103c1 Engineers, killed in action near Fismes, Aug. 9, 1918. Bowles, Martin F., 2d Lieut., Co. B, 355th Infantry, killed in action, Sept. 3, 1918. Burt, Andrew, died in active service, 1916. Cobeldick, William Morley, Royal Engineers, died from gas poisoning on Oct. 7, 1915. Dougall, Ralph,. 4th University Co., Princess Patricia Regiment, killed in action early in the war. Evans, Alfred Winter, Lieut.-Col., New Zealand Rifle Brigade, D. S. 0., D. C. M., killed in action on Oct. 12, 1917. Gordy, Sheppard B., died in service, Oct. 9, 1918. Gorman, Thomas C., Lieut., Canadian Engineers, killed in France, Mar. 18, 1918. Hague, William, 1st Lieut., Engineer Officers&apos; Reserve Corps, died in active service, Jan. 1, 1918.

Jan 1, 1919

THE annual meeting of the Arizona Section was held at the Pioneer Hotel in Tucson on Dec. 10, 1951. Registration and ticket sales for the social functions started at 8:00 am and lasted throughout most of the day. There were 489 registrations, consisting of 216 members, 64 students, and 209 guests. Chairman Harrison Schmitt opened the Mining Geology Div. meeting and a short business session was held at which Dr. Charles Anderson of Prescott, Ariz. was elected chairman and Seton Williams of Tucson was elected secretary for 1952. Dr. B. S. Butler was program chairman with R. B. Mulchay as co-chairman at the technical program. Eldred Wilson spoke on Oxidation and Water Levels at Some Arizona Mines. George Kiersch spoke about Economic and Engineering Significance of Ground Water Localization in Limestones - Big Bend Country, Texas. Harrison Schmitt gave The Definition and Use of Terms in Mining Geology. These talks were followed by discussions. E. N. Pennebaker, A. D. Wandke, and H. Schmitt gave informal talks on foreign trips made during 1951, the meeting was then adjourned.

Jan 1, 1952

By B. G. Bunting, D. L. Abata, J. Robb, J. H. Johnson

Toxic gases produced by the detonation of six explosives were measured in an underground hardrock metal mine during mining operations. The explosives included two semi-gelatin dynamites, three slurry explosives, and an ammonium nitrate, fuel-oil/ammonia dynamite combination. Explosives were detonated at the face of a drift and toxic gases produced by the detonation were trapped at the end of the drift by a bulkhead located a short distance away from the face. Toxic gas concentrations were then measured with direct readout instruments and together with the containment volume, the toxic gas volumes per mass of explosive were calculated. Toxic gas measurements were found in the following ranges (ft3/1bm): NO, 0.0100-0.035; N02, 0.003-0.019; CO, 0.08-0.30; SO2, 0.00-0.05; and CO2, 0.7-1.8. Results showed that toxic gas production (ft3/lbm) correlated with the densities (kg/m3) and energy densities (kJ/kg) of the explosives tested.

Jan 1, 1983

By Foster Bain

MOST of us householders in the East burn anthra-cite, so the problem that interests us most is the distribution and supply of the domestic sizes of anthracite. That, however, is only a small part of the coal problem and has its own peculiarities. Whether anthracite prices are high or low is largely a matter of relativity, depending on the size of the transaction, the available supply, and other things. As an isolated example which I hesitate to quote because it is not entirely representative, you may be interested to know that the Government fuel yard has been delivering to the Government buildings in the District of Columbia, white-ash stove coal at 16 c. a ton less during January, 1923, than during the same month of 1922. The reason is that the Government deals only with large companies who have been wise enough not to boost their prices and the small increase at the mine has been more than offset by the decrease in railroad rates. The total cost is $12.50 per ton, but I want to make it perfectly clear that it does not follow that this would be a just price for a retail dealer to charge the domestic consumer. For example, in the Government business there is no such thing as a bad debt, and certain other fixed or general charges are charged to other departments. The Bureau of Effi-ciency made an effort to determine what would be a. legitimate handling charge for a retail dealer, in Washington, and concluded that if the Government&apos;s cost of handling was $1.00, then $1.88 would be the corresponding fair charge to pay a retail dealer carrying the same volume of business, allowing for bad debts, complete depletion and depreciation of his equipment, and 10- per cent. profit. Assuming that this is the correct differential for Washington, it does not&apos; follow that it would be equally just for Pittsburgh, New York, or elsewhere; nor does it by any means follow that it is a fair differential this year, because the dealer, after being unable to use his equipment in the summer months, now has to deliver an unusually large quantity of coal. I merely cite this instance to show that on the basis of primary cost of coal plus railway charges the retail price is not necessarily higher this-year than last.

Jan 4, 1923

Members whose deaths were reported from Mar. 5, 1919, to Apr. 5, 1920. Elected Died 1895 ANDERSON, ROBERT HAY 1920 1916 ATWATER, M. W 1919 1905 BARD, D. C 1920 1893 BECKER, GEORGE F 1919 1914 BIGELOW, BRAXTON 1917 1917 BLACK, HERBERT F 1919 1911 BOWLER, ROBERT P 1919 1902 BROWN, ARTHUR H 1919 1913 BURNHAM, WILLIAM 1918 1905 Carnegie, Andrew 1919 1900 CARPENTER ROLLA C 1919 1908 CONNER H. MCKEAN 1919 1883 COOK, ROBERT A 1919 1903 COOPER, JOHN 1919 1875 CROXTON, SAMUEL W 1919 1889 DICKMAN, R. N 1919 1893 DUFOURCQ, EDWARD L 1919 1917 FAY, CHARLES H 1918 1875 FOHR, FRANZ 1919 1879 FRICK, H. C 1919 1880 GAYLEY, JAMES 1920 1917 GARVIN, JOHN C 1920 1915 GIBBS, CHARLES H 1919 1917 GODBE, RALPH T - 1918 GREGORY, A. E 1919 1917 HAMILTON, A. McL 1918 1914 HEISE, HENRY C - 1913 HINCKLEY, E. R 1918 1884 JENNINGS, HENNEN 1920 1895 JOHNSON, J. E., JR 1919 1895 KANN, MEYER M 1919 1895 KAYSER, H. W. F 1919 1918 KENNEDY, DANIEL J 1903 KING, PAUL S 1919 1901 LANGTON, JOHN 1920

Jan 1, 1923

(Members are urged to send in for this column any notes of interest concerning themselves or their fellow-members.) Members and guests who registered at Institute headquarters during the period July 10 to Aug. 10, 1915: William H. Rettie, Yonkers, N. Y. Paul S. King, Wilmington, Del. A. J. Eveland, Pachuca, Mexico. E. E. R. Tratman, Chicago, 111. Chang Fu Wang, Shanghai, China. Courtenay Dekalb, Tucson, Ariz. F. H. Fovargue, Terlingua, Tex. Emil Gathmann, Baltimore, Md. W. W. Elmer, Tuttletown, Cal. Henry S. Drinker, E. M., LL. D., has just completed 10 years&apos; service as President of Lehigh University. A notable gathering of alumni, with their wives and daughters, numbering more than 1,000 persons, met in South Bethlehem on June 5. In accordance with the request of Dr. Drinker, no formal celebration was held, but, nevertheless, a spontaneous and enthusiastic expression- of appreciation and affection was voiced by alumni, students and faculty, testifying to the regard felt for Dr. Drinker and extolling the progress made by the University under his guidance.

Jan 9, 1915

By E. R. Kaiser

COAL research during 1942 was directed in an important degree toward the solution of problems of wartime importance. A wider selection of coals for carbonization to meet the increased demand for coke, and the improved utilization of lower-grade coals for boiler fuel were made possible by fundamental studies on cod and ash behavior that had been started several years ago. The coal industry&apos;s interest in the work of the various laboratories brightened significantly as results were demonstrated on smokeless combustion in stoves, on stokers without coke trees, and on pulverized firing of forge furnaces. Despite the limitations of priorities and scarcity of materials, the mineral industries building of the West Virginia University was completed and equipped with facilities for research on coal min

Jan 1, 1943

By Donald B. Gillies

PROBABLY the most critical and difficult period in an engineer&apos;s career is that between the completion of his college work and his attainment of professional recognition and accepted status in the industrial world. Upon leaving school the young graduate breaks his immediate ties with his educational institution and in a sense finds himself adrift. At this time in his life a society like our Institute has both the responsibility and the privilege of meeting a vitally important need in his professional life. Some of these young men are Student Associates, in the year after graduation, and some are Junior Members, but all need advice and assistance. In some respects this situation will be accentuated by the war. Not only will thousands of young engineers be mustered out of military service but the process we describe generally as industrial reconversion will make necessary many readjustments in personnel. About two years ago the Institute recognized the opportunity of helping the younger member to help himself by appointing a new standing committee to be known as the Committee on Professional Development of Junior Engineers. Herbert Hoover is Honorary Chairman and it is my privilege to serve as Chairman. The name of the Committee is not entirely satisfactory but it expresses the general objective. The present article is in the nature of a progress report of the work of this Committee.

Jan 1, 1945

Arthur Jarman, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (communication to the Secretary*):—All designs for modern metallurgical and chemical laboratories should provide each student&apos;s desk with a hood or cupboard for the removal of fumes, but I doubt the advisability of placing air-baths and similar apparatus close to the hot plate. It seems to me that unless the draft be exceptionally strong the fumes from ordinary wet assay work will corrode the iron-work of the fittings, in which case the baths would have to be removed to a general desk in order to lighten the work of the laboratory attendant. Since the laboratory described by Mr. White has been in use for two years, I should like to ask if any inconvenience has resulted from this corrosion. If not, it is certainly an important improvement to have the air-baths and similar apparatus placed on the student&apos;s desk. The hoods described by Mr. White are supplied with a good draft by means of a fan, which gives them a great advantage

Jan 1, 1905

By Charles H. Fulton

ONE of the events of note in mineral industry education circles during the year was the summer school for engineering teachers, devoted to mining and metallurgical engineering, which was conducted by the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education in co¬operation with the University of Wisconsin. It was in charge of Prof. Harry P. Hammond, director of the summer school, and Prof. Richard S. McCaffery of the University of Wisconsin. It was attended by 63 people, and practically every educational institution offering mineral industry courses had representatives present. The session was successful and those in attendance spoke highly of the pro¬gram and results obtained. The Mineral Industry Education Division cooperated with the S.P.E.E. in this project. Prof. Hammond will discuss the purpose and results of this session at the February meeting.

Jan 1, 1934

By John A. Church

In the year 1874, when the price of pig-iron was still high, that staple product became the subject of discussion in the newspapers and among those philosophers who are determined to know the "reason why" for all things. The object of the inquiry was to find out Why iron did not fall in price as much as some other things had fallen. Indeed, there seemed to be an impression that iron and gold ought to move on nearly parallel lines, for the fact was constantly brought forward that iron then cost twice as much as it did before the war, though gold had returned to within twelve or fifteen per cent. of its former value. After some time the papers, by what seemed to be nearly unanimous consent, reached the conclusion that the maintenance of high prices was the work of the furnace proprietors, who, as the result of their shrewdness, were pocketing enormous profits. No proof was given to support this opinion, and the figures of cost and sale that were produced were of the most general kind, and used in the most vague manner. Visiting the president of the Thomas Iron Company, whose great works at Hokendaqua and Catasauqua, in Pennsylvania, are so well known as the largest and among the best conducted in America, I found him quite willing to meet the vague suspicions of the newspaper wiseacres, by a publication of the figures contained in the furnace-books of his company. These were accordingly given to the world through the Engineering and Mining Journal, and attracted the general attention they so well deserve. Though my own name became connected with these statistics, from the fact that I used them as the basis for the first attempt ever made to calcalate the furnace economy of an American works, I can, without the suspicion of egotism, say that the statistics referred to are the most valuable contribution the literature of American blast-furnace work has yet received, for their interest is independent of personal considerations, and due entirely to the fact that they represent faithfully the details of practice in one of the most prominent American works. They are an exact transcript of the furnace-books, and form a body of accurate information of the greatest value to the metullurgical student. Their importance is shown by the fact that though the theoretical conclusions which I based upon them have been several times attacked, not one of my critics has made the slightest contribution to

By John A. Church

IN the year 1874, when the price of pig-iron was still high, that staple product became the subject of discussion in the newspapers and among those philosophers who are determined to know the "reason why" for all things. The object of the inquiry was to find out why iron did not fall in price as much as some other things had fallen. Indeed, there seemed to be an impression that iron and gold ought to move on nearly parallel lines, for the fact was constantly brought forward that iron then cost twice as much as it did before the war, though gold had returned to within twelve or fifteen per cent. of its former value. After some time the papers, by what seemed to be nearly unanimous consent, reached the conclusion that the maintenance of high prices was the work of the furnace proprietors, who, as the result of their shrewdness, were pocketing enormous profits. No proof was given to support this opinion, and the figures of cost and sale that were produced were of the most general kind, and used in the most vague manner. Visiting the president of the Thomas Iron Company, whose great works at Hokendaqua and Catasauqua, in Pennsylvania, are so well known as the largest and among the best conducted in America, I found him quite willing to meet the vague suspicions of the newspaper wiseacres, by a publication of the figures contained in the furnace-books of his company. These were accordingly given to the world through the Engineering and Mining Journal, and attracted the general attention they so well deserve. Though my own name became connected with these statistics, from the fact that I used them as the basis for the first attempt ever made to calculate the furnace economy of an American works, I can, without the suspicion of egotism, say that the statistics referred to are the most valuable contribution the literature of American blast-furnace work has yet received, for their interest is independent of personal considerations, and due entirely to the fact that they represent faithfully the details of practice in one of the most prominent American works. They are an exact transcript of the furnace-books, and form a body of accurate information of the greatest value to the metallurgical student. Their importance is shown by the fact that though the theoretical conclusions which I based upon them have been several times attacked, not one of my critics has made the slightest contribution to

Jan 1, 1876

BECAUSE of the impetus given to placer mining since the price of gold was advanced to $35, several types of small dredges have made their appearance, especially in the Lincoln and Oroville areas of California. Some of these are known as "doodle bugs," and have been given considerable publicity, though many believe their performance has been overrated and that complete costs of construction and operation, if known would not put them in so favorable a light. Fig. 1 is a doodle bug owned by E. M. Clark and operated near Lincoln, Calif. It is understood that it was abandoned because of inability to handle deep ground. A similar machine that has been operated-profitably by Comstock Placers is shown in Fig. 2.

Jan 1, 1938