(Dit tijc Scttuig of Mmw §ollcrs. 



By CHARLES J. SPENCER. 



Read Novemher U)ih, 1887. 



IN diooHing for my subject "The Sotting of Steam Boilers," 

 I am not laying claim to any special knowledge of the 

 Bxibject, more than is possessed by many others here, who, 

 doubtless, have had more experience in and studied the sub- 

 ject more than I have done. 



At the same time, it is a subject which Engineers have not 

 paid so much attention to as they might have done, perhaps 

 through no fault of their own, but partly because it is 

 thought to belong more to the province of the bricklayer 

 and mason, and partly because the boiler user may have 

 ideas of his own on the matter, and is afraid the Engineer 

 will reap a small profit for himself, should it pass through 

 his hands. 



In my opinion, it is almost as important to a steam user 

 that his boiler should be well not, as that the boiler itself 

 should be a good one ; and I am sure it would be to his 

 advantage to employ a competent Engineer, not only to 

 inspect his boiler, but to design the setting and see to its 

 being carried out in a proper manner. 



Now, the most natural inquiry at the outset is, What is 



133 



