at tlie Northa7nj)ton Meeting, 1847. 



339 



ence of any inexperienced person when it is not at work. In the 

 boiler of this steam-engine the makers have, in designing a plan 

 for economizing fuel, not neglected the important point of pre- 

 venting danger of fire from sparks ; but with the length of flue, 

 the means of subduing the draught, with the addition of a smoke- 

 box, this danger to the stack-yard is obviated. The flues are 

 return and turn-over flues, and of sufficient capacity to be readily 

 cleaned out. At the end of the first row of flues is fixed the 

 smoke-box : the use of this is to prevent and receive any sparks 

 arising from the fire (as in the case of railway engines). The 

 boiler has all the advantages of the small tubular boiler, without 

 the danger and complexity, as sufficient steam-generating surface is 

 obtained without the liability of priming. This is of importance^ 

 especially in rural districts, where the coal is often bad, and the 

 water strongly impregnated with earthy and saline matter. Every 

 part of the boiler is well strengthened by stays, and before leaving 

 the manufactory is tested at full double its wmking pressure. In 

 this boiler fuel is saved, by the water being heated before enter- 

 ing the boiler, as the waste steam is injected by the force-pump 

 through a vessel from where the supply of water is taken. To 

 the boiler is also attached a steam-whistle in connection with the 

 water-gauge, so that if the water by any means gets low the action 

 of the gauge is to open the cock of the whistle, and thus give 

 instant notice to the person in attendance. Price 189/. 



Mr. Hornsby's was a six-horse power portable steam-engine, 

 with locomotive boiler, 36 tubes in the horizontal part^ fire-box, 

 and smoke-box complete ; the engine simple in construction, with 

 governor to regulate the speed;, very easy to manage by a farm- 

 labourer; calculated for driving thrashing-machines, chaff-cutters, 

 or any other machinery used in farm purposes. Price 245/. 



A five-horse power portable steam-engine, with shafts, wheels, 

 &c., complete ; invented by Edward Bloxsom, of Gillmorton, 

 and manufactured by the exhibitor. — This engine is constructed 

 with the greatest regard to economy in its working. The prin- 

 cipal novelty is its capability of being worked at any required 

 power, from about one horse to five. The working parts are 

 placed under the boiler instead of on the top or side, which has 

 a two-fold advantage; for the works being nearer the ground, 

 the engine works steadier; and being more enclosed, are not so 

 liable to accident. Another important improvement is its capa- 

 bility of being worked either way. There is no danger to be 

 apprehended from the fire, as the fire-box is enclosed with the 

 cold-water tank, which answers the double purpose of supplying 

 the boiler and cooling the cinders, sparks, &c., and the chimney 

 is fitted with a dome which prevents the sparks from flying out at 

 the top. The working parts are fitted with the greatest regard to 



