184 
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS, ETC. 
USE OP INFERIOR FARM IMPLEMENTS. 
We lately saw one of the old-fashioned plows, 
at the establishment of one of our largest plow 
manufacturers. On inquiry, we found that it was 
a pattern on which the proprietors commenced their 
business, some 15 or 20 years ago; and, although 
a very good plow, for that period, it is superseded 
among all intelligent farmers, by other and more 
recently-constructed patterns, which will do the 
same work, and with at least a quarter less labor. 
We found that the single reason of its now being 
employed, in preference to others, with most of 
those using it is, that it has a point, or share, of cast 
iron, costing some 15 cents each, which admits of 
being worn out at both ends, instead of one end 
only, as those now constructed. The saving of Ik 
cents, in this share, determines its use ; and this is 
saved at an additional expenditure of team power, 
costing not less than 25 to 50 cents per day, which 
by the time the share is worn out, would amount to 
from $5 to $50, according to the soil. Such wise- 
acres are never guilty of taking nor reading agricul- 
tural papers, to teach them a better system of 
economy. 
■» — 
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS. 
In viewing a spouting foun- 
tain, we are only surprised by 
the elevation to which the water 
is thrown ; but perpendicular 
columns of water have but little 
pretence to beauty, particularly 
when a jet rises from a naked 
tube in the middle of a basin or 
canal, and the water falling on 
its smooth surface, appears unna- 
tural without being artificially 
grand. Some are so constructed, 
that their ajutages throw up the 
water in the form of sheaves, 
fans, showers, to support balls, 
&c. Others to throw it out hori- 
zontally, or in curved lines, ac- 
cording to the taste of the design- 
er ; but the most usual form is a 
simple opening to throw the 
spout, or jet, upright. The grand- 
est jet of any is a perpendicular 
column issuing from a rocky base, 
on which the water falling pro- 
duces a double effecl both of sound 
and visual display. Drooping 
fountains, or such as bubbling 
from their source trickle over the 
edge of rocks, shells, or vases, 
combining the cascade with the 
fountain, are capable of much 
greater beauty. 
Whatever be the direction of 
the jet, the discharge of water 
is always the same, provided that 
the altitude of the reservoir be the same. This is 
a necessary consequence of the equal pressure of 
fluids in all directions. Water, spouting from a 
small ajutage, has sufficient velocity to carry it to 
the same height as the water in the reservoir; but 
it never attains entirely this height, being prevent- 
ed by various concurring causes. 1st. Friction in 
the tubes. 2d. Friction against the circumference 
of the aperture. 3d. The resistance of the air, its 
weight obstructing the rising column. 
Mr. Loudon justly observes, that it is not easy to 
lay down data on this head ; if the bore of the aju- 
tage be too small, the rising stream will want suffi- 
cient weight and power to divide the air, and so 
being dashed against it, will fall down in vapor, or 
mist. If too large, it will not rise at all. The 
length of pipe between the reservoir and jet will 
also impede its rising in a slight degree, by the 
friction of the water on the pipe. This is estimat- 
ed at one foot for every hundred yards from the re- 
servoir. The proportion which this author gives 
to the ajutages, relatively to the conducting pipes, 
is one fourth ; and thus for a jet of four lines, a 
conducting pipe of an inch and a half diameter ; 
for a jet of six or seven lines, a conducting pipe of 
two inches, and so on. From these data, the height 
of the fountain, and the diameter of the conduct- 
ing pipe being given, the height to which a jet can 
be forced can be estimated with tolerable accuracy. 
The following are a few of the most powerful 
fountains in Europe, with the perpendicular height 
to which the water is thrown : — 
Fig. 44. 
The Emperor fountain, at the seat of the 
Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth, 
Wilhemhcehe fountain, in Hesse Cassel, - 
Fountain at St. Cloud, France, 
Peterhoff fountain, Russia, ... 
Fountain at Versailles, France, 
Feet 
267 
190 
lfiO 
120 
9 'J 
