THE MANAGER ON THE WORKS. 8 1 



climate, but that is no excuse for mopping paint on any. 

 how in any weather, whenever the manager happens to be 

 seized with an industrious fit; and this is frequently the 

 cause of the woe-begone, discreditable appearance of the 

 holders and apparatus in a small works. 



The hydraulic main is usually a weak spot, especially 

 where there is no exhauster. Under such circumstances, 

 everything possible should be done to reduce the back 

 pressure on the retorts, and an inch or more added at the 

 hydraulic is a serious item. My experiences of anti-dip devices 

 have not been encouraging. One point made evident is that 

 the hydraulic seal does a considerable amount in the way of 

 condensation and removal of tar, and that more work is 

 thrown on the condensers in its absence. Before doing 

 away with the hydraulic seal, therefore, the foul main and 

 condenser should be brought quite up to date in the 

 matter of size and efficiency. But, judging from what one 

 actually sees, there would appear to be a common idea that 

 any discarded fragment of hydraulic from the scrap heap at 

 a larger works is good enough. If, as is too often the case, 

 the hydraulic is circular or square, and none too large in 

 section, with a plain weir overflow, and carried on 

 crutches resting on the division walls of the setting, the 

 working results will not take a first place. Its replacement 

 by a modern section of large size, supported clear and 

 independent of the brickwork on cross girders connecting 

 the front and back buckstaves, and with adjustable over- 

 flow and flushing cock, will be money well spent. 



The systematic use of a pressure gauge is also apt to be 

 neglected, and, if one asks for such an appliance, an old 

 one in bad condition, covered with dirt and dust, is fished 

 up from some odd corner. If an exhauster is used, there are 

 usually gauges fitted with It, but, in any case, the proper 

 Q 



