great increase here in the demand for it, and there can be no doubt of a constant augmentation of that demand.

The conversion of iron into steel in the United States has not been done until very recently, except to a limited extent. About the year 1828, Mr. Joseph Dixon commenced the manufacture of black lead pots for the use of brass founders; up to that time these articles had been imported principally from Holland. Mr. Dixon's perseverance in the manufacture of these pots has been attended with entire success. The pots of his manufacture will do from six to seven times the work of those imported, and are afforded at less than one half the price, so that now the importation has nearly ceased.

About five years since Mr. Dixon commenced experiments in using his black lead crucibles for converting iron into steel. Complete success has attended these experiments. The crucibles contain about forty pounds of iron each, and they will stand six heats; each heat occupies one and a half hours. The metal is put into the crucibles and melted with anthracite coal. From the crucibles it is run into ingots from 3 to 6 inches square, and from 18 inches to two feet long, and then drawn down by hammers worked by machinery to the required sizes. The manufactory is located at Jersey City, and under its present arrangements produces one ton of cast steel per day. By an improvement in the process, Mr. Dixon has been enabled to convert the pig metal directly into steel, avoiding the intermediate processes of puddling and drawing into bars; by which twenty-five per cent of the metal is saved, and the cost of conversion materally diminished. We understand the works have been enlarged, and will soon be in operation for the production of three tons per day. The Adirondac iron has thus far been exclusively used for this purpose.

Specimens of this steel were exhibited at our Twenty-second Annual Fair, and also specimens of cutlery made from it. It was pronounced by intelligent practical workmen who had used it, equal in all respects to the best imported cast steel. It finds a ready market at the highest price paid for English cast steel.

The proprietors of this work are Messrs. Archibald McIntyre, of Albany; D. S. Gregory, of Jersey City; Archibald Robertson, of Philadelphia; and the heirs of D. Henderson, whose names we record with pleasure, conceiving them to be eminently entitled to honor for prosecuting this enterprise to a successful result.

Thus, under the patronage of the gentlemen above named, and the perseverance of enlightened skill, we have the assurance of being able to supply our own demands for one of the most important articles known in the arts, and the prospect that at no distant day we may supply a large portion of the demand abroad. We conceive the manufacture of this article to be placed beyond the influence of tariffs, or that vascillating legislation which has been so ruinous to almost every mechanical or manufacturing enterprise in our country.

GUTTA PERCHA.

A very large display of articles made of this material, was exhibited at our late Fair, from the American Gutta Percha Company, under the direction of Mr. S. T. Armstrong. When we consider that it is only about eight years since the properties of this singular substance began to be investigated, it is truly surprising to witness the great variety of extremely useful purposes to which it has already been applied; some of which are of great value. Caoutchouc, or India Rubber, as it is familiarly called, has been known for centuries; nevertheless, it is within thirty years that this gum has been applied, in any considerable extent, to purposes of utility, and even now, it is very doubtful whether all the uses to which it is applied will be very durable; although immense skill, labor and capital have been employed upon it. There is certainly reasonable ground for a belief that, should a moiety of the skill which has been directed to India Rubber, be applied to Gutta Percha, the latter will attain a permanent standing for purposes of great utility.

The tree which produces the gum in question, grows in great luxuriance and abundance on the islands of Singapore, Borneo, and along

the Malayan coast; and it seems to have been ascertained that a supply of the material, equal to any anticipated demand, can readily be obtained. Its properties are very remarkable; the acids, fixed oils, alcohol, frost, or water at a low temperature, do not affect it; but it dissolves readily in boiling spirits of turpentine. At an ordinary temperature, it is as hard as wood. When immersed in water above 150° Fahrenheit, it becomes soft and plastic, and may be worked or pressed into any required form, which it retains without contraction in cooling, and assumes its original hardness.

We have stated that it has been applied to a great variety of uses, entirely too numerous for us to particularise; we will, however, advert to some of the most prominent. Placed in any position either above or below the surface of the ground, where the temperature does not exceed 100° Fahrenheit, it appears, as far as experience has gone, to be unchangeable. It retains water without in the slightest degree impairing its purity, and consequently forms a cheap and durable pipe for conducting water for any purpose, provided the temperature does not rise above the point before stated. The frost, which is so destructive and troublesome to conducting pipes made of the usual materials, is sustained without injury by Gutta Percha; experience having shown that it will expand without injury, sufficiently to accommodate the expansion of water in freezing. A series of experiments recently conducted at Birmingham water-works, to test the strength of Gutta Percha relative to its capability for the conveyance of water, resulted as follows: tubes three-fourths of an inch in diameter and one-fourth of an inch thick were attached to an iron main and subjected for two months to a pressure of 200 feet head of water without suffering any deterioration. The tubes were then connected with the hydraulic proveing pump, the regular load of which is 250 pounds in the square inch, at which the tubes were unaffected.

In the practice of surgery, it is found to answer many very valuable purposes, particularly in the management of fractures; so much so, that it has been pronounced by gentlemen skilled in the practice, "a boon to mankind, used for that purpose only."

Another most important use to which it has been applied, is insulating telegraph wires, which it accomplishes in the most' perfect man ner, being sufficiently flexible for any purpose! connected, therewith,, and it is also a perfect non-conductor. By the application of this asan insulator, the telegraph lines now find no difficulty in crossing our widest rivers and bays, where before they were cut off. The linen under the Hudson river crosses at Bull's ferry, and consists of two wires of one mile in length each, with about 3000 pounds of cast iron: anchors to keep them in place. There is no doubt that the unsightly poles with strings and kites flying at every few feet distance, which now disfigure the principal thoroughfares of our cities, will soon be superceded by isolated wires placed under the surface. This will. be found the most perfect mode of construction, and in all probability the cheapest for cities.

Gutta Percha has been very extensively used for machine banding, both in England and the United States, and from the multitude of testimonials in its favor for this purpose, the conclusion is irresistable that it answers fully the required end, except in positions where there. is necessarily much friction.

For the soles of boots and shoes it answers an excellent purpose. It is more durable than leather, and can be rapidly applied by any person; therefore in new countries, or in places where there are no boot or shoe makers, it is a very desirable article.

We have seen a great variety of house-keeping utensils beautifully designed and made of Gutta Percha. These in a great measure will take the place of articles made of porcelain, and must effect a very great saving, particularly in our large hotels.

We understand that the French and English governments have contracted for a sea line of telegraphs across the English channel from Dover to Boulogne, which is to be completed the present year. This can only be accomplished through the agency of wires insulated with Gutta Percha.

Mr. S. T. Armstrong has submitted a proposition to Congress to construct a telegraph line from a point on the American coast to a point on the Irish or English coast, and will complete the same in the space of twenty months, at a cost of three million dollars. The line to be owned by the British and American governments. understand the project is deemed feasible by scientific and practical Much credit is due to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Armstrong, in applying Gutta Percha to many valuable purposes, which must be seen to be appreciated. A visit to the depot of the manufactory at No. 181 Broadway, will well repay the trouble. American Institute awarded to Mr. A. a gold medal in 1848; another in 1849 for further improvements.

men.

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SHAWLS.

The display of shawls at the twenty-second Fair, greatly surpassed any former exhibition. Those from the Bay State Co., Lawrence, Mass., took the highest award. We trust it will not be deemed out of place here to state, that this company now employ, in that portion of the works in operation, one thousand hands, and consume over one million pounds of wool per annum. The shawls on exhibition are made entirely from American wool. The daily product is about one thousand long shawls, and only one-third of the mill is yet filled with machinery; the remainder is gradually filling up. It is only a year since the commencement of this manufacture, and already they have obtained a favorable reputation in the principal cities of the Union. It is gratifying to know that thus far, in the use of these shawls, the style, color, and weight, have proved satisfactory to the consumers; and we are assured by competent judges that in all respects they compare well with the best styles from Europe. We cannot but look upon a maid or matron, clad in one of these beautiful and comfortable garments, with as much respect and admiration as if clad in the very costly, but less comfortable fabrics of India.

It is highly complimentary, and must be gratifying to the proprietors of the Bay State Company, to be informed that the attention of our