284 MANtrFACTURE OF NITRATE Oi SODA. 



to pump the necessary water over a distance of from 4 to 5 miles. 

 Fortunately, in Ramirez the supply of water is practicaRy un- 

 limited. The two wells are 82 yaids deep, by 9 feet by 10 feet, 

 timbered all the way down with 12 inches by 2 inches lining, and 

 6 inches by 6 inches frames at every 4 feet to bear the thrust of 

 the lining, and to carry the guides for pump-rods. They are 

 worked by three-throw Tangye pumps, '4 inches delivery in each, 

 and each well can deliver 70.000 gallons in twelve hours. This 

 water, however, is contaminated by salt and alkaline matters, 

 which necessitates the cleaning of the boilers every two months. 



In Eamirez well-water is conveyed in pipes from the large 

 tank to the centre of the square for workmen, for culinary and 

 household purposes, but as this is unfit for drinking, soft water 

 is provided by condensing the exhaust steam from the large 

 engine and steam-pumps. 



Owing to the reduced production before alluded to, only 

 three hundred men are now employed on the works, but there is 

 living accommodation for six hundred workmen with their families 

 in a large "plaza," or square, and two streets. The work in this 

 establishment is carried on both night and day, and at night the 

 works are lighted by two 6,000 candle-power arc lights, provided 

 by a Siemens' A dynamo, driven by a 4-HP. Tangye engine. 

 There is also telephonic communication with Pozo Almonte, the 

 nearest telegraph station to Iquique, 17 miles from Eamirez. 



[The Paper is accompanied by several drawings, from which 

 Plate 7 and the figure in the text have been engraved.] 



