Intelligence and Miscellanies* 175 



" The pipes of whatever size, are usually cast in sections 

 of nine feet, and are always laid so as to have a covering of 

 earth at least four feet thick. During the last three or four 

 years about thirty thousand feet have been put down by the 

 city of Philadelphia, and between three and four thousand 

 joints have been made. The pipes vary in diameter from 

 twenty-two to two inches, and in no single instance has 

 there appeared any difficulty from the change of tempera- 

 ture, or in fact from any other cause — although our head 

 of water in the highest part of the city, is sixty feet and in 

 the lower parts near ninety — the pressure of which is never 

 removed. 



In making the joints the directions of Mr. Walker are 

 pursued, but our workmen instead of stopping the opening 

 between the pipes with clay only, previous to pouring in the 

 liquid lead — clasp the inserted pipe with an iron ring com- 

 posed of two semicircles of common hoop iron bent edge- 

 wise and united on one side, by a joint or hinge, and on the 

 other by a thumb-screw — thus C^* This ring being pla- 

 ced directly against the end of the receiving pipe, covers 

 the space between the two pipes, and the clay is then appli- 

 ed over it. When the lead is poured in, the surface next to 

 the ring will be smooth all round, and the troublesome ope- 

 ration of " chipping" and " dressing" is entirely saved. 



The persons engaged in making the joints have acquired 

 such confidence in their work, that they no longer deem a 

 proof necessary, but fill up and puddle the ditch before 

 the water is turned into the pipes. 



The information now possesed I consider of great import- 

 ance, not only to our city but to the country at large, as 

 without it iron could not be used for conduits — there being 

 I believe no other effectual mode of securing the joints ; in 

 fact a knowledge of this matter twenty years ago would have 

 saved us at least !^ 100,000. When the water works were 

 first erected by Mr. Latrobe, he put down about a mile of 

 iron pipe, but from the contraction it was found not to suc- 

 ceed. Various attempts were made to obtain information 

 from England, all of which failed previous to the application 

 to Mr. Walker. 



Our new water works are not upon the plan recommend- 

 ed by Mr. Walker, though some of his recommendations 



