1853. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



437 



It is a matter of surprise, that on questions 

 which would seem of so easy solution, it is not sot- 

 tied yet at what particular time the swallows 

 leave New England for the South, or whether any 

 of them retire to the mud for a winter retreat.— 

 Mr. White, of Selborne, one of the most accurate 

 naturalists of any age, had jio doubt that they'do 

 hybcrnato. And although our obliging friend of 

 the Express is equally as confident that tliey do 

 not, we hope to be able bye-and-bye to adduce 

 such evidence as to convince the most skeptical, 

 that swallows do sometimes pass the winter in the 

 margins of ponds in a state of torpidity I This sub- 

 ject, as well as all others of a kindred nature, is 

 to us intensely interesting, and the doubts which 

 hang over them all, show how partial and incon- 

 stant has been the observation of nearly all per- 

 sons upon them. 



DISCOVERIES AND IMPROVEMENTS. 



— A new and very useful application of the 

 Daguerreotype art has been discovered by Robert 

 Langton, wood engraver, of Manchester, England. 

 The discovery consists in applying photography to 

 blocks of polished boxwood, such as are ordinari- 

 ly used in his own art for wood engraving, thus 

 rendering the blocks ready for the application of 

 the engraver's burin. This discovery will be of 

 invaluable service, as it will save the expense of 

 employing draughtsmen to mark the blocks pre- 

 vious to engraving. Drafts of complicated ma- 

 chinery in perspective, and other difficult sketch- 

 es, which required much time, expense and skill 

 in the preparation of blocks for engraving, can now 

 be produced in a moment with the light of the 

 sun. 



— A "saloon car," combining elegance, com- 

 fort and sociability to an extent not before realized 

 on our railroads, has been placed on the Hudson 

 River Railroad. It is thus described by the Alba- 

 ny Evening Journal : — 



"The body of the car is of the length and near- 

 ly a foot wider than those in ordinary use. It has 

 a hall on the right hand side, about three feet 

 wide, out of which four saloons open, capable of 

 seating eight persons each, and one for four per- 

 sons. In the larger saloons is a sofa, five chairs, 

 a centre table, and a magnificent mirror." The 

 panneling is beautifully ornamented with land 

 scape and other paintings ; the windows and blinds 

 are especially adapted for ventilation and for the 

 exclusion of dust and cinders ; and the whole is 

 splendidly unique, neat and spacious. It is just 

 what was needed for family and other parties, 

 who, in their journeyings, desire to be alone. The 

 fare will, of course, be more than in the ordinary 

 cars, because it«contains fewer seats." . 



— Gutta Percha Varnish is said to be a very ef- 

 fectual means of preserving writings, charts, bank 

 bills, and pictures, as well from injury by time as 

 from forgery or alteration. The process consists 

 merely of running a very delicate coating of gutta 



percha solution over the surface of the article. It 

 is perfectly transparent, and it is said to improve 

 the appearance of pictures. By coating both 

 sides of an important document, it can be kept in 

 the best preservation. It renders it water-proof, 

 and the plan would thus be a valuable one for ship 

 charts. 



— A correspondent of the Railroad Record is of 

 opinion that curvature on railroads is the main 

 cause of accidents, whether by collision or other- 

 wise. Straight lines must, in the end, be adopted ; 

 and, though at first more expensive, they are in 

 the end more economical, and are certainly safest. 

 Curves, the writer contends, should be limited by 

 law, and states that one degree curve, or 5,130 

 feet radius, offers as much resistance to a train as 

 a grade of ten feet to the mile. Two degrees 

 equal fifteen feet ; three degrees equal twenty 

 feet ; four degrees equal twenty-five feet ; five de- 

 grees equal thirty feet ; six degrees equal thirty- 

 five feet — that is, if a six-degree curve be located 

 upon a level, it offers the same resistance to a 

 train as would a grade of thirty-five ieet to the 

 mile, on a straight line. 



— The following patents have recently been is- 

 sued : John Binder, of Chelsea, Mass., for im- 

 provement in hinges for folding bedsteads. Thom- 

 as Crossley, of Roxbury, Mass., for improvement 

 in printed carpets. Benjamin F. Delano, of Chel- 

 sea, Mass., for improved rudder-brace. John P. 

 Schencke, of Boston, Mass-., assignor to John P. 

 Schencke and Adolphe S. Saroni, of same place, 

 for improvement in breech-loading fire-arms. — 

 Aury G. Goes, of Worcester, Mass , for improved 

 screw-wrench. William Coleman and Stephen^* 

 G. Coleman, of Providence, Pi. I., for improved 

 ship's block. Abijah R. Tewksbury, of Boston, 

 Mass., for improved boat or scow. Henry Stan- 

 ton, of the Army of the United States of America, 

 for improvement in discharging breech-loading 

 fire-arms. 



^iJucitising ?Dcfiartmenr. 



(Cr A limited number of advertisements of an appropriate 

 character will be inserted in the monthly Farmer at the fol 

 owing 



BATES. 



For one square of 15 lines, one insertion SI, 00 



For each subsequent insertion '0 



XT The'above rates will be charged for all advertisements 

 whether longer or shorter. 



Middlesex Agricultural Society. 



n^HE Committee appointed to vie^v Far^iifi in Bliddlesex 

 1 CouTi^i^ will enter upon their duties on Monday, the 5th 

 day of September, J853. 



All persons who wish to enter for premiums on Farms, 

 Orchards, and Meadows, are requested to make appIicntion to 

 the Secretary at Concord, or either of the Committees, b3- 

 fore the first day of September. 



CHARLES BAlJliinGE, Pepperell.^ 

 SAMUEL CHANDLER, Lexington. > Committee. 

 SIMON BROWN, Concord. ) 



July 23, 1653. 6w 



