General Notices. 



101 



back on the other side of the centre, removing the dirt in an opposite 

 direction. For the next course the machine is brought to the side where 

 it first acted, and removes the dirt from a like portion of ground and with 

 it the line formed by the preceding course. This is continued' until the 

 scrapings are brought to the side of the road. 



The manager is enabled to lift the scraper by turning a wooden roller 

 fixed above it, and attached to each plate by a corresponding chain. This 

 is done in order to pass over parts of roads recently repaired ; and when 

 going to work or returning, the plates are kept in this elevated position by 

 a ratchet and catch at the end of the roller. A curved scraper is attached 

 to the back part of the frame at the off-corner, to be used only durino- the 

 last course of the machine, for the purpose of collecting the scrapino- s & i n t 

 heaps ready for removal. 



The Sweeping Machine (Jig.2\.) has a frame similar to that of the 

 scraper, supported in front by two common wheels about 4 ft. in diameter 

 and behind by two small iron wheels with vertical axles, one under each 



corner. Within the frame, and diagonal to it, is the cylinder of brooms, 

 consisting of five rows of heath, each row secured between two boards by 

 screws, and attached to an axle by radiating arms of cast-iron. This 

 receives a rotatory motion from the carriage wheels, by means of a beveled- 

 tooth wheel fixed on their axle-tree, working in another half its size on 

 the axle of the brooms. When the machine is drawn forward, the brooms 

 are thus made to revolve twice to each revolution of the carriage wheels, 

 and in an opposite direction to them. The brooms are regulated so as to 

 bear more or less on the ground, according to the state of the dirt ; and, as 

 the heath wears shorter, they can readily be drawn out from the centre, in 

 order to preserve a proper bearing. The dirt is removed from the space 

 over which the brooms pass to the right or off-side of the machine. Like 

 the scraper, the work is commenced near the centre of the road or street, 

 and carried on in a similar manner. When this machine is wanted to pro- 

 ceed without sweeping, the larger beveled-tooth wheel is thrown out of 

 gear by a lever for that purpose. The brooms are covered and the frame 

 enclosed by oil-cloth, to prevent any splashing or dirt from escaping beyond 

 the machine. 



The Scraping Machine, drawn by two horses, and attended by one man, 

 will clean five miles of road, 24 ft. wide, in eight hours. Two additional 

 men will be required to throw the scrapings off the road, and clear the water- 



H 3 



