138 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Traction Engine, by Nichols, Shepard & Co., W. S. McMillen, Agent, Indianapolis. 

 This engine is handsome in its design and finish, and has many points of merit in 

 its arrangement. The boiler is supported on six spiral springs, two on either side 

 and two under the fire-box, and is made of only two sheets of iron, double riveted. 

 The crown sheet is about four inches lower at the back end, over the fire door, than 

 over the flues, and has a fusible plug at the highest point. This slope of the crown 

 sheet gives so great a depth of the water at the back end that it will not be likely 

 to become bare of water in going down any reasonable grade. The flue sheet is 

 half inch thick, and copper thimbles are used at flue ends. It has water front and 

 bottom', and both pump and injector are furnished for supplying water. The 

 engine is a first-class one in all respects, and uses the Hoag reverse pinion move- 

 ment. It is furnished with all necessary fixtures, conveniently placed for use. 

 The stack has an improved bonnet that guards very effectually against danger 

 from fire. 



Portable Engine, by Springfield Engine and Thresher Coriipany, Springfield, Ohio. 

 This is a good engine in all its appointments. It is mounted on a frame, and is 

 not supported by the boiler, as is usual. The driving wheels are entirely of 

 wrought iron, except the hub, and are so connected to the axle that one or both 

 may be fastened to it, and all turn together, as in a locomotive, or either or both 

 may be detached, and used as a portable. The forward wheels are pushed by the 

 frame from the rear and not by the boiler. Steel springs are used in the compen- 

 sating gear, which allows them to yield a little when the wheel strikes an obstruc- 

 tion or has unusual strain from any cause, lessening the danger of breaking the 

 gearing. The link motion is used for reversing the engine, which has all its parts 

 conveniently arranged for handling or being cared for in running. 



Traction Engine, by M. d- J. Rumely, Laporte, Ind. In this engine great care is 

 taken to secure the best material and workmanship. The boiler is made of a su- 

 perior quality of iron, with a very large dome from which steam is taken through 

 a dry pipe, which secures dry steam under all ordinary circumstances. It has 

 water front and bottom, and large flues, through which a better draft is secured 

 than through smaller ones. The engine is placed well back to give weight over the 

 driving wheels. Uses the link for reversing, with an extra long phosphor-bronze 

 block, thus securing the best possible wearing properties in this kind of reversing 

 rig. Uses the usual cross-head pump for supplying water. The driving wheels 

 are large, and are driven by a straight train of gearing, with the usual compen- 

 sating gear on counter shaft. The front wheels have an elevated ring or ridge 

 around the center to prevent lateral slipping. A good spark arrester guards 

 against fire. It is conveniently handled by the engineer, whether at regular work 

 or running on the road. As geared it will travel about four miles an hour. 



Tractimi Engine, by Eagle Machine Woi-h, Indianapolis. This company have one 

 of their traction engines on exhibition, which is a well-made, light, and yet sub- 

 stantial machine, well adapted to the work it is intended to do. The boiler is well 

 made of the best quality of iron, with water front and bottom, and is hand-riveted. 

 The engine is mounted high on the boiler, getting the band-wheel well up out of 



