26 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



pure white steady light, of low heating power, withdraws very little 

 oxygen from the air, and does not add impurities to any great ex- 

 tent ; its flame has a temperature of 900 to 1,000 degree C, while 

 ordinary gas has 1,400 degree C, but as only one-tenth to one- 

 fifteenth of the quantity is used for equal light, its heating effect is 

 slightly in excess of the incandescent bulb. 



Taking the theoretical E. H. P. necessary to produce one ton 

 of carbide as 3,000 horse-power hours, and using the same for a 

 supply of electric light by incandescent 4 Watt lamps, we have the 

 following: — 3,000 x 746 = 2,238,000 Watts -r- 64 gives 34,970 16 

 C. P. lamps for one hour, or 1,453 burning 24 hours continuously. 



The same power equals one ton carbide, which burned in ^ 

 foot burners gives 31,500 i6f C. P. lights or 1,213, burning twenty- 

 four hours. This gives a margin apparently in favor of electric 

 lighting ; but you cannot use all your electric lights at the source 

 of cheapest production, nor run a continuous even load for twenty- 

 four hours, but have in addition to sustain losses in distribution 

 more than proportionate to the distance conveyed ; also lamp re- 

 newals. With the carbide it is different, it can be made at the place 

 of cheapest production on a constant load night and day, and a 

 small sum transports the carbide to any place desired, where it can 

 be used to its full power without loss. Figure out for yourselves the 

 problem of transmitting electric current for use 10 to 100 miles 

 from source of production and transporting carbide by freight the 

 same distance, and the comparison will be largely in favor of car- 

 bide. Hence for use in close proximity to the power house on a 

 steady even load day and night, the cost will be about the same if 

 power cost the same, but as that is not practicable in electric light- 

 ing the margin is in favor of carbide, but not to such an extent as 

 to seriously hurt the electric companies employing the best appara- 

 tus under the most approved conditions, as may be found in large 

 cities, but it is possible in small towns where the best and most 

 economical conditions cannot be obtained, and a thorough manager 

 secured, well up in the scientific as well as the practical conditions, 

 electric lighting may suffer. 



The ease, of distributing acetylene is remarkable ; owing to its 

 high illuminating power very small main pipes may be used, and as 

 frost does not effect it the pipes need only be laid below the surface, 



