PANS FOR THE USE OF COAL-OIL. 



385 



This pan was sold in the West at an exorbitant price, $4 being 

 charged for royalty. Wherever we had an opportunity we advised 

 farmers not to use it, but to construct others such as we have already 

 described, an.d every bit as good, at far less expense. The principle 

 cannot be patented, for since 1875 similar coal-oil pans, virtual out- 

 growths of the canvas frames originally employed for the same purpose, 

 have been *• known and used" in Colorado. This fact is sufficient in law 

 to defeat any patent right based upon any application for a patent 

 subsequent to such knowledge and use. 



The essential features in all the contrivances are, in fact, 1. A plat- 

 form that runs on the ground, on runners or wheels ; 2. A canopy at 

 right angles with it ; 3. A reservoir at the junction to contain the liquid. 

 Another pan, of which we give a sketch (Fig. 91), was made by Mr. James 



^ Fig. 91.— The Adams Locust-pan. 



Adams of Abilene, Kans. It is 10 feet long, 2 feet wide ; back (a) 1 foot 

 high ; front (b) about 2 inches high at the inner edgej ends (c) 2 feet 

 high. The front is made of a board 6 inches wide, leaning inward nt 

 an angle of about 45^. A cloth screen is placed on the back part, which 

 prevents the reel from knocking the locusts back over the pan. 



The whole is made of pine, and costs $8 or $10. The pan is painted 

 within with asphaltum paint, which renders it impervious to water or 

 oil. The pan rests in front upon runners, to which ropes are attached 

 for drawing, and on wheels behind which carry belts to turn the reel. 

 The reel revolves just in front of the pan, causing the locusts to hop, 

 25 a 



