178 [Assembly 



blinds; for making white lead and grinding paint. Machines for 

 hainmering wrought iron spikes and nails. Machines for cutting 

 "Wrought iron nails, brads and sparables; machines for making wood 

 screws, or rather iron screws to be used in wood; machines for ma- 

 king wrought iron and brass door butts; machines for making window 

 blind and bell hanging staples. Of this list of machines, it may be 

 said that none have been named in the list of cloth making, which 

 exceed these in efficiency, and many of them are entirely dependent 

 on cam motions for their existence. 



There are other machines which enter into the calculation, direct 

 or indirect, resulting in progress in improvement in machinery for 

 architectural construction; a few will be named. Machines for ma- 

 king augers, bitts, gimblets; for making plane irons, of which the 

 steel for the cutting edges are welded at the rate of seven per min- 

 ute. Such has been the general progress of improvement in ma- 

 chinery under the general head of shelter, alluded to at the com- 

 mencement of our remarks. 



There is another class of machines which contribute alike, though 

 indirectly, to the supply of the three great wants before stated, which 

 must claim some notice. 



And first of all we name the king of machines, the steam engine; 

 we so call it, inasmuch as by its energies fraternity of motion 

 may be given to all other machines named, and the incomparable 

 agent for locomotive purposes. 



In the regular course of lectures given the psst winter by the fa- 

 culty of the American Institute, the subject of the steam engine has 

 been ably presented; and it is not our intention to go into extended 

 remarks here; we propose to state only, in what respects the steam 

 engine has progressed as an economical and useful power. 



Since we have been in the habit of calling the steam engine a 

 highly improved and perfect machme, or say within the last ten or 

 ififteen years, this advance has been at least one half in amount; and 

 consists in the following particulars. 



The perfect knowledge of working steam at a high pressure, par- 

 ticularly of working steam expansively; the construction, and the 

 proper setting of steam boilers; the use of the blower to supply ox- 

 ygen for combustion; the choice and proper ad:;ptation of fuel, par- 

 ticularly in the size and quality of coal. 



