378 SEVENTH REPORT—1837. 
though the iron produced is inferior in strength to that made at 
the neighbouring works, the Elsicar, where the cold blast is used, 
it is nevertheless much improved by the introduction of a small 
proportion of the Ulverstone ores, about 6 per cent., in combi- 
nation with those found in the district. 
Notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances attending 
the application of the hot plast in the reduction of the York- 
shire ores, the same results were not obtained in its application 
to the Scotch iron. In those a deterioration takes place less 
frequently, as will be seen from the experiments. 
Taking a general mean of the experiments in both cases, the 
difference is not considerable ; and, with the exception of the 
Yorkshire irons, I should consider the results in no way unfa- 
vourable to the hot blast: as respects fluidity, appearance, &e,, 
I should rather deem them favourable than otherwise. 
Previous to commencing the experiments, it was considered 
desirable to collect as large an assortment of iron of both kinds 
as possible; and in order to avoid an improper selection, direct 
application was made to the iron masters in the first instance, 
and subsequently numerous samples were received through the 
medium of persons whose interests were in no way identified 
with this inquiry. 
In this way we kept clear of preconceived opinions, and col- 
lected a mass of material of almost every description, Out of 
nearly one hundred specimens, only six could be found answer- 
ing the description of hot and cold blast ; viz. the Carron, Devon, 
Buffery, Coed-Talon, and perhaps the Elsicar and Milton,* 
The difficulties thus enumerated, and the scarcity of the com- 
parative metals, have of necessity confined our investigations to 
the above-named irons: they are consequently more limited 
than we could wish; but, at the same time, of such a nature as, 
I trust, will lead to important results. 
As an account of the greater portion of the irons collected could 
not be introduced into these Reports, I was nevertheless induced 
to examine them minutely ; and having tested the whole by care- 
ful experiment, the results will be found in a distinct form in 
the sixth volume of the Manchester Memoirs, now in the press. 
* Since the above was written, it was deemed expedient to renew the appli- 
cation to the Carron Company for further supplies of their iron, in order to in- 
vestigate its nature with increased attention, in addition to the experiments of — 
last year. Mr. Hodgkinson expressed a wish to renew his experiments on the 
tensile forces of this iron, and also to repeat those with sections of the T form, 
which were found defective in former experiments. For this purpose a second 
application was made, through Mr. Murray of Glasgow, to the Company, who 
immediately furnished the necessary samples. Other sorts, the Muirkirk, the 
Coed-Talon No. 3, including the Carron No. 3 irons, have been obtained, and 
their results will be given in the present paper. 
