Reports of Judges. 83 



The class under exainiuation exhibits satisfactory evidence of 

 gradual improvement in this important branch of the mechanic 

 arts. 



It is with much gratification vre are enabled to call the attention 

 of the board of managers to such merits of excellence in the 

 machines examined, embraced in this report, as have come under 

 our notice. 



The class includes steam and air engines, steam generators, and 

 apparatus incidental thereto, and comiected therewith, and turbine 

 water wheels. 



STATIONAKY NON-CX)NDENSING ENGINES. 



- The first in order of merit, is Wright's horizontal engine, with 

 variable cut-off and independent exhaust. No. 982, constructed by 

 the Washington Iron Works, Newburgh, N. Y. 



This engine combines in its general design, superior workman- 

 ship and excellence developed in modern construction of these 

 machines, and its special advantages are comprised in the arrange- 

 ment and construction of its valves and valve gear, connected with, 

 and controlled by the governor; its durability, simplicity and 

 certain rapid and efficient action in regulating the admission of 

 steam necessary to perform the work required. 



The important parts of the valve gear being exposed and readily 

 accessible for attendance and repairs, with little liability to derange- 

 ment, and the addition of separate independent exhaust valves, so 

 arranged that the pressure upon them diminishes with the expan- 

 sion of the steam in the cylinder during the stroke, and balanced 

 poppet main steam valves placed at the ends of the cyliiider. 



Babcock & Wilcox's Engine, No. 723, is a horizontal non-conden- 

 sing, with slide valves and independent slide cut-oflf, actuated by the 

 piston of a small steam cylinder upon the back of the main steam 

 slide, the slide valve of which is controlled by the governor. 

 This engine combines many good qualities in design and workman- 

 ship; the expansion apparatus is enclosed within the steam chest 

 of the main steam slide. And while we consider this engine highly 

 creditable in its design, in the arrangement of its several parts and 

 performance, it does not, in our opinion, combine all the merits of 

 excellence embraced in the Wright engine before explained. 



Root's Trunk Engine, No. 719, is non-condensing; a very com- 

 pact machine and well adapted for use where economy of space is 

 required. The work is creditably executed, the details are well 



