Intelligence and Miscellanies. 175 
“‘ The pipes of whatever size, are usually cast in sections 
of nine feet, and are always laid so as to have a covering of 
earth at least four feet thick. During the last three or four 
years about thirty thousand feet have been put down by the 
city of Philadelphia, and between three and four thousand 
joints have been made. The pipes vary in diameter from 
removed. 
In making the joints the directions of Mr. Pere are 
pursued, but our workmen instead of stopping the openi 
between the pipes with clay only, previous to pouring in nthe 
liquid lead—clasp the inserted pipe with an iron ring com- 
posed of two semicircles of common hoop iron bent edge- 
wise and united on one side, by a joint or hinge, and on the 
other by a FRG sore. a C5: This ring being pla- 
ced directly against the end of the recetving pipe, covers 
the space between the two pipes, and the clay i is then appli- 
edover it. When the lead is poured in, the surface next to 
the ring will be smooth all round, and the troublesome ope- 
ration of ‘ chipping” and “ dressing” is entirely save 
The persons engaged in making the joints have acquired 
such confidence in their work, that they no longer deem a 
proof necessary, but fill up and puddle the ditch before 
the water is turned into the pipes. - 
The information now possesed I consider of great import- 
ance, not only to our city but to the country at large, as 
without it iron could not be used for conduits—there bein 
I believe no other effectual mode of securing the joints; in 
fact a knowledge of this matter twenty years ago would have 
saved us at least $100,000. When the water works were 
first erected by Mr. Latrobe, he put down about a mile of 
wen pipe, but from the contraction it was found not to suc- 
eed. Various attempts were made to obtain information 
fom England, all of which failed previous to the applica 
o Mr. Walker. 
Our new water works are not upon the plan recommend- 
ed by Mr. Walker, though some of his recommendations 
