150 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



those who tend the dry heaters, or ovens, and those who cure 

 with the acid gas, should be careful not to inhale the gases more 

 than is absolutely necessary ; those, also, who tend the grinders 

 when lead is used, should take the precaution that is always 

 necessary when this material is worked. The operatives, 

 however, that work in these departments, form but a very small 

 part of the number in any establishment, and for all others em- 

 ployed, it is more than ordinarily healthful. 



POWER. 



The same difference of opinion exists relating to the com- 

 parative advantages of water or steam power in this, as in 

 other branches of manufacturing. There is, however, one 

 advantage in favor of steam for this, which does not exist in 

 some other manufactures, which is the use in it of steam exten- 

 sively for other purposes besides the moving power, such as 

 heating the callenders and grinders, vulcanizing and cleansing 

 the goods, &c. It is, however, of much less account what kind 

 of power is used than what amount. 



So long as the limited way of operating is the only one be- 

 lieved in, and the only one called for by the wants of the com- 

 munity, it is necessarily the true way, and the wise one, for 

 the time being ; but it may be hoped that ere long, the merits 

 of this growing manufacture will be so far appreciated as to 

 bring to its aid, not only adequate machinery and power, but, 

 also, corresponding capital. When this time arrives, a reduction 

 will be made in the first cost of many of the articles, (the heavy 

 ones in particular,) which will surprise the manufacturers them- 

 selves. 



On this head the writer has ever felt a degree of solicitude 

 and impatience, but must console himself by the reflection, that 

 every extensive branch of industry has small beginnings ; that 

 spinning-wheels were used before cotton mills, and horses and 

 carts before locomotives and rail cars. 



