Notes on Steam Boilers applicable to 
Sugar Estates.* 
By W. Price Abell. 
HE high price of coal, and the proportionately 
great boiler power required on a sugar estate, 
led me to expeft that the condition and effi- 
ciency of Boilers in Demerara would at least compare 
favourably with the present English praftice, but in this 
respeft I was somewhat disappointed. Possibly my 
standard of efficiency is high from the fa6l of my prafti- 
cal acquaintance with the shops of two of the world's 
greatest engineers in Lancashire, a county which con- 
tains according to the best authority, more steam-power 
than America ; and you will no doubt agree with me that 
to this county we should look for the lead in all matters 
appertaining to steam machinery, from the compiling of 
a specification of construction to the investigation of an 
explosion. The absence of a satisfactory system of boiler 
insurance and inspections, is rather startling to a 
stranger arriving in this colony which is so dependent 
upon the efficiency of its boilers : of course there is 
boiler inspection after a manner ; but my professional 
friends know that this to be done efficiently, necessitates 
trying and attentive work on their part, and even then, 
unless there has been a special training, and almost 
exclusive devotion to this work, the results are anything 
but satisfactory. There is no doubt but that periodical 
inspection by competent parties is the best means of 
♦ Read at the August meeting of the Society. 
