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While the size of the wooden framework in which the saws 
are set measures five by ten feet, the stone bedding is somewhat 
less than this. More than three feet will have to be deducted 
from this length to allow for the eighteen inch swing of the saws, 
although the width of the bedding is nearly the same as that of 
the gang. Four by six feet is about the actual size of the stone 
bedding. The saws swing at the rate of sixty-five strokes per 
minute. 
THE Rus-WHEEL, or rubbing-plate, is simply an iron disk 
one and five-eighths inches in thickness, and revolving in a hori- 
zontal direction. Water and sand are also used upon the wheel 
to assist in the abrading process. ‘The sand is kept on a slightly 
elevated platform at the center of the wheel, and the water drips 
down upon it from an open pipe. Occasionally, if the dripping 
water does not carry along a sufficient quantity of sand, one of 
the workman will losen the sand a trifle with an iron hook, thus 
keeping a sufficient amount of sand constantly upon the wheel for 
polishing the stones. Above the wheel a stationary framework 
is placed, which comes close down to the surface of the wheel and 
divides the circle into several parts. Whenever it is desirable to 
grind a flat surface the stone is placed on the wheel next to one of 
the arms where it is weighted down and the moving wheel and 
grinding sand do the work. Much of the work, however, includ- 
ing all rounded edges, ends of slips, and particular forms, re- 
quires the special attention of a workman, who holds the stone 
in his hand while it is being ground. The wheels used at the 
Manlius factory are seven feet in diameter and are divided into 
five separate parts by the framework. Thus five men may work 
advantageously at one plate at the same time, but if necessary, 
each of these parts could accommodate two workman, although 
neither would then have the perfect freedom at present enjoyed. 
Fourteen men are now kept constantly at work in the rubbing 
department at Manlius. 
THE SAND used in the sawing is also deserving of mention. 
The regular sawing sand is obtained from Sylvan Beach, near 
Oneida Lake. It is a reddish brown in color and composed 
