KECEPTACLES FOR STORING WHEAT. 167 



neighbour, radiate from its centre the flour or grain will 

 be dislodged from the receptacle. Without the central 

 tube any wet mass is free to radiate in all directions, with 

 the tube a large proportion of these rays are arrested by 

 the tube, and these left free to go amongst the mass pene- 

 trate only in the line of the moist portion. Were damp 

 or wet the only evil to be arrested, it would not be so im- 

 portant a matter to prevent it, as, on the supposition that 

 only a small portion was admitted damp, by communi- 

 cating itself to others it would be so divided that in each 

 it would be almost inappreciable. But wet brings decay, 

 and decay "grows by what it feeds on;" it progresses 

 steadily to a consummation. It may be compared to gan- 

 grene in the animal body, it must be lopped off, to be got 

 rid of ; it cannot be brought to a healthy state itself, it must 

 only be prevented from contaminating the surrounding por- 

 tions. The invention, when applied to barrels for trans- 

 portation, is more particularly meant for Indian corn meal 

 and wheat flour. The following are some data which 

 may serve as guides to those who may use the plan : 

 For a barrel of wheat flour of the usual size, containing 

 about 196 pounds, for a voyage of about a month or six 

 weeks, a tube of 2 inches will be sufficient, and one of 2<| 

 inches for a six months' voyage. As, however, Indian corn 

 meal is much more liable to decay than wheat flour, it is 

 desirable that a tube of 7 inches diameter for a six months', 

 and one of 5 inches for a six weeks' voyage be provided. 

 The plan is also applicable to corn bins and corn stacks. 

 In the latter, the central opening is recommended to be 

 made by means of poles, an opening being made at top 

 and bottom of the central tube to admit of ventilation. 



Whether the theory on which the plan is based is cor- 

 rect or not, there can be no doubt that the spread of decay 

 in the mass of flour, &c., will be materially prevented by 

 the placing of a tube or cylindrical body in its centre ; even 

 although the decay does not progress radically as suggested, 

 the effects of contact will be materially lessened. But as 

 to the great advantages attendant upon the plan, when 



