p 14 THE" PITTSBUEG DISPATCH. SUNDAY, OCTOBER- 18, J891; PLANTS AND LIGHT. Results of Constant Exposure to the Eays of Electric Lamps, place it by a lamp, should this become necessary, for instance, in oases of month disease. The tiny lamp already mentioned is also mounted on a laryngoscope, and is thus of great value in the treatment of in fectious diseases. NEW DESIGNS FOE LETTER BOXES. Miniature Incandescent Lamps Can 5a Thrust into the Stomach. THE HAEKDTG8 ON THE JUfffEE TIPS rWKITTSJf TOB tite msrjLTcn. J Further epeeific information on the effect of electric light on plants is afforded by the resnlts of recent experiments at Cornell University. The general effect of the naked light running all night was to hasten ma turity, especially in the case of leaf plants, such as lettuce, spinach, etc, which ran to ced before edible leaves were formed. For five feet either side of the lamp the plants died soon after coming up. Two varieties of cress acted in the same way, and the sur viving plants were in full bloom seven wests after sowing, while those in tho dark bouse were still in good leaf. Radishes were injured by the light in direct propor tion to their proximity to the lamp, those within three to six feet being nearly dead at the end of six weeks. In regard to en tire crops, it was found that those obtained in the normal house were about twice as great as those from the light compartment. Tests were then made with a view to dis covering whether the injury to the plants resulted from the electric- light itself or from the fact that they received light dur ing the whole 24 hours. The plants wero covered during the day in such a manner as to entirely exclude the light, while permit ting a free circulation of air. Badishes subjected to this treatment were slender and sickly, assumed a faint green color and died in three or four weeks. The fact that the light hastened seed-bearing suggested that a modification might, under certain conditions, be profitable, and to this end the lamp was cnclosad in a white "opal" glass globe. The resnlts wero very much the same, but in a less decree, with the ex ception of the lettuce, which was decidedly-better-in the electric light house. The in fluence of the light upon Jproductive ness, and color of flowers was found to vary with different species and with different colors within the same species. Several varities of tulips gave interesting results. "When certain of these came into full flower it was found that in every case the colors were deeper and richer in the light house; but the colors lost their- intensity alter lour or live days, and were in distinguishable from those in the dark house. The plants in the light compartment had longer stems and larger leaves than the others; and there was a greater number of poriferous plants in the light Verbena flowers growing near the electric light were uniformly injured. These and other experi ments point to the probability that while, in a variety of instances, the eflect oj the aro light is injurious to the proper ijrowth of plants, yet under certain conditions the judicious use of the electric light will prove particularly helpful The Sponge Industry. The sponge industry, which for many years was centered in the Bahamas, is rap idly developing along the southern coast of Florida. It is found that the sponges grow ing along the Florida coast are much super ior to the Bahama sponges. The method of gathering sponges is by means of iron hooks attached to long poles. By using a water glass the fisherman can readily discover the sponges at the bottom, and then with his pole and hook he will bring up those fit for his purpose, leaving the smaller ones untouched. Some sponges adhere firmly to the bed of the sea, while others are not attached at all, the latter being known as rollers. After being bought in the local market they ere carted to the shipping yard of the purchaser, where they are cut and trimmed into proper shapes and sizes; thev are then washed and thoroughly dried, being generally spread in the sun for that purpose upon canvas or old sails; next thev are assorted according to varieties and grades, and then packed, by means of hand presses, into bales weighing from 20 to 150 pounds. Sometimes the sponges are bleached bv beinc pressed through a solu tion of white lime and water so weak as not to injure the fibre of tho sponge. Nearly all the sponges are bought in open market by resident agents, who tray for New York, London and Paris houses, shipping the goods to tneir principals. daily, and bo perfect are the automatio arrangements that only 23 hands are re quired for the output. One clever electri cal appliance will doubtless soon be gener ally adopted in Enclish mines. "When ft wagon ot ore is tipped at the shaft's mouth, electric contact is made in the tipping, and a small needle in the office makes a red mark on a band of paper revolving byclock work. The object of this is not so much to give automatically the number of wagons tipped as to show at a glance that the haul ing is proceeding regularly. Defects In Unseed Oil. In a paper read before the Society of Arts, England, on the durability of paintings with oils and varnishes, A. P. Laurie showed that Unseed oil cannot be relied on to protect a surface from moisture, as it ab sorbs water from the air. This would scarcely bo thought possible considering the general nature of oils and fats, but it can readily be shown to be the case-by means of a sufficiently sensitive reagent. Dry sul phate of copper, when ground up with lin seed oil and painted on a glass slide, forms a whitish green opaque enamel. This re mains unchanged if kept over a dessicator, but on exposure to the air it becomes green and transparent, showing the absorption of moisture. Most of the "varnish gums, as copal and mastic, have the same defect- are now compulsory on all omnibuses, and and their examination entails the employ ment of on army of inspectors. At night this .is difficult, and the inspectors have had recourse to a small electriobuttonhololamp, which is worked by a pocket battery. On asking for the passenger's ticket the in spector has only to touch the battery, and a vivid light reveals the number and par ticulars oi me printed sup. The Perception of Color. Dr. It "Webster Fgx is of opinion that savage raoes possess the perception of color to a greater degree than do civilized races. After examining ICO Indian boys Br. Fox found no case of color blindness. In the same number of white boys, at least five cases would have been discovered. Some years ago 250 Indian boys were examined, and only two cases of color blindness were met with, a very low percentage when com pared with the whites. Amone the Indian .girls he did not find any. Among whites two lemaies in every i,uou are color Dund. into general use. in England. The spent lye can be utilized by soap boilers, while the freedom of the wasto irom oily matter ren ders it again fit for use. NEW ADVERTISEMENT'. ringer Tip jCviflcnce. Further evidence as to the reliability or finger tip impressions for indicating char acter or establishing identity has been com piled and published by Dr. A'Bundo. After examining the fingers of seven idiots, he found that the markings on the tips of all the fingers on each hand were identical, thus showing a marked difference between those of idiots and of sane people. The thumb tips of one idiot had the same mark ings as those on his fingers. There was a noticeable smoothness ot finger tips in all idiots. In one case there was a perfect re semblance between the markings on the fin gers of an idiot and on those ot his mother. Out of 20 cases of imbecility in 4 only was one sort of tracing found on all tho fingers, in the remaining 16 n tendency to repetition asserting itself to a considerable extent. In hemiplegia, when the lesion was old stand ing, a distinct smoothness of the finger tips was noticed, which prevented the obtaining of good impressions. A prominent medical authority is of opinion that from a medico legal point of view these researches may ultimately have an important bearing on crimes of a sanguinary nature. For in stance, if drawings were taken of the im pression of a hand bathed in blood the mark ings would be most clear, more especially if the criminal had not merely laid his hand on any papers, but had actually fingered them. The evidence of crime would be still more valuable it the criminal had-anypecul-iarity of finger tip impressions. The Future of Sailing Ships. It has been assumed, in view of the great development of steamship traffic, that sail ing ships would eventually disappear. This assumption is fallacious. One of the most marked features in shipbuilding during the past few years has been the distinct revival of the use of sailing ships and the building of some of the largest Eailing ships afloat. At a recent launch of a sailing ship in Scot land, where the industry has taken a new start, Lord Brassey, in returning thanks for the toast of his health, said: There are many sound reasons for believing that sail ing ships are destined to be used for a long time to come. The wind, though an uncer tain power, is a very cheap power, and "there are many important descriptions of goods in regard to which it is of no conse quence that the speed at which they are conveyed across the ocean should be the quickest possible. Moreover, the sailing ship is sometimes a very convenient ware house for the merchant. New Insnlatlnc Material. A new material possessing improved in sulating properties is composed of sulphur, 7 pounds; pipeclay, 1 pounds; slate dust, 1 pounds, paraffine wax, 2 ounoes, and a variable quantity of oxide. The quantity of oxide added depends chiefly upon the color which it is desired to give the mix ture; it may vary from one-half to one fourth of the total weight of the other in gredients. In working up the mixture the1 clay and slate dust are first thoroughly mixed together by grinding, the materials being heated. The paraffine wax is then added and the mixture is incorporated into a paste. After exposure for a time, during which it becomes dry and hard, the mixture is ground to a powder, and then mixed with the proper quantities of sulphur and metal lic oxide. Automatio totter Deliverer. An ingenious contrivance for distributing letters or -parcels to the different fiats of large buildings has been invented by a German mechanic. A large collecting box, provided with compartments to correspond to the various flats, is fixed in the base ment The placing of letters or parcels in this box establishes electrical communica tion with the top story, the effect being to release a stream of water which fills a cylinder. As soon as the cylinder is fnliit - descends,. causing tne box in tne basement to ascend at the same time, and by a -simple mechanical contrivance to discharge the contents of the various compartments into the leceivine boxes of the various floors. "When the colleotintr box has reached the J top story, the cylinder, by emptying itself, permits of its return to the basement. Atmospheric Electricity. An interesting reproduction of Benjamin. Franklin's historical experiment with the' kite, under somewhat different conditions has been carried out at the Blue Hill Ob servatory by Alexander McAdie. What' Mr. McAdie has demonstrated is that elec tricity can be drawn from a kite high in the air in a cloudless sky. The kite dis charged sparks from the lower end of an insulated wire reaching down to the earth, where an electrometer partly measured the increasing electric force. So nearly did the auantity of electricity in the upper air oor- Tespond to the height of the kite above the eanu tuafc tag experiuieurcr cuuiu usually determine whether the kite was raising or falling by simply looking at the needle of the electrometer. Improvement In lamps. Ot late years the keen competition in the lamp trade has led to great improvements in lamps for industrial and other purposes. of these the latest is a spray Iamp,that gives a light of from 500 to 5,000 candle-power, as I may be required, by the simple turning of a cock, it is claimed tnat tne lamp docs not require to be periodically cleaned, and will burn any kind of oil, mineral, vegeta ble or animal The lamp reeulates its own supply of oil, and when set going pumping lis dispensed with, as sufficient pressure is automatically secured to create up or spray the lamp. Value of Motalllo Sleepers. The injury of metallic sleepers from cor rosion has been greatly overrated. Even in the damp climate of the Netherlands' the loss from corrosion does not, it is said, ex ceed 4 per cent in 20 years. Experience in India shows that metallio sleepers, which are subjected to a special treatment before leaving tho works, are thoroughly to'be re eled, ou for efficiency and lasting wear. Oil From Cotton Waste. The -patented process for the extraction of toil from cotton waste by subjecting the ma terial, while immersed in an alkaline liquid, vto-alternate squeezing and distension in a '.specially constructed apparatus, is coming A Childlike Confidence in the efficacy of Carlsbad Sprudel Salts is universal throughout the world. Nature's remedy for Constipation, .Gout, Rheumatism, Kidney Troubles, Diabetes, .tatty Degeneration and all Liver Troubles. Our rich Americans visit Carlsbad. The crowned heads of Europe have been visiting this historic spot, when in search of health, for the past 500 years. You can now get the same treat ment at any drug store, in the shape of Carlsbad Sprudel Salts. Not a nauseating remedy. Men and women of sedentary habits will find life a pleasure after taking this treatment for one week. The genuine have the signature of "Eisner & Mendelson Co., Sole Agents, New York," on every bottle. sa OUR TRADE ARE YOU A WIFE? The question is timely and pertinent at this season, be cause if you are, there is also a probability that you are also a housekeeper. The dream of maidenhood is to marry an ideal man. The dream of the married woman is to become mistress of an ideal home. The first ideal is not always attain able; the latter may be realized by any woman if she possesses taste, practices judicious econ omy and purchases of us. WHY WE HEAR IT! SEE ITI FEEL IT 'GROW UNTIL IT'S LIKE A GREAT FLOOD TIDE I The more we sell the cheaper we sell, and our prices this week will add a freshet to the flood, and fuel to the flame. IN A HUNDRED WAYS We make your shoppingagree able. Most pleasing of all are our prices. Just how pop ular they have made us our daily throngs will show you. Is there any or can there be any better proof needed? We gratify everyone with honest worth of goods, but we add the MASTER STROKE WHEN WE NAME THE FIGURES with which we win your patronage. A Model Prisoner. It is seldom that a convict turns the hours of his enforced confinement to such good purpose as an inmate of a Maryland prison, of whose ingenuity a cotemporary gives an interesting account Hiaterm of imprisonment is 13 years, on a conviction of horse stealing, ot which he asserts he is in nocent By working overtime he has earned such sums of money as to enable him to purchase books, of which his cell con tains over 200. A short time ago when electrio light wires were being placed in the prison be became interested in electricity,and bought some standard works on the subject The result was the construction of half a dozen different electrical appliances, includ in a burglar alarm which no has just com-, pleted for the bedroom of the warden of the Iirison. Another result of his industry is a, ock which is so arranged that hammering on it drives the bolts deeper into their fast-1 ening. He exhibited a model of this lock to tne warden, who was so pleased with it that it was at once adopted forvuse in tho prison. Castings for the locks were made. :n the prison foundry, a lathe was set up in the priaoncr's cell, and he was relieved of all other tasks, so that his entire time could be devoted to the manufacture of his locks' with which, in a short time, all the dormi tories of the prison will be provided. Electricity In Mlnlnc. The members of an English mining insti tute recently paid a visit to the Mechernich lead mine in Brussels. Not only is this mine electrically lighted, but current is used throughoutibr the economy of labor. The enormous quantity daily raised sur prised the visitors. This is over 3,000 tons Prevention of Scurvy. In a discussion in the Lancet on the best methods of preventing scurvy on board ship, an excellent specific was recalled. Many years ago on English surgeon of repute, while serving in the Indian Mercantile Marine, accompanied a large number of soldiers and seamen in aeailmg ship to In dia. This ship was the only vessel of the squadron which arrived in port free from scurvy, a result which the surgeon, seoured by keeping up a full and fresh Supply of mustard and cress, which he directed the crew to grow for their own nse in warm, moist flannel. He lost not a single seaman or soldier, a service for which he received the thanks of the Board of Directors. Electric Buttonhole .lamps. The great omnibus strike in London iB said to have developed the use of a modifi cation of the scarf electrio lamp. Tickets SCROFULA eczema, tetter, boils, ulcers, sores, rheumatism, and catarrh, cured by taking AVER'S Sarsaparilla it purifies, vitalizes, invigorates, and enriches the blood. Has Cured Others will cure you. HE-NO TEA, WHOLESALE AXD EETAlt, GEO. K. STEVENSON &CO SIXTH AVENUE. ocl-irw OIL WETX-SUFBIJES. T. FLETCHER GRUBBS, WITH THE OIL WELL SUPPLY CO., 1)S. 91 AND 92 WATER 6TBDET, MTTSBtXEG, PA. Estimates furnished on the oelebrated Mogul & Jnnis oil welt engines. O. W. a Oou?BedJJomO'BteM boiler. O. W. S. Co.'a tapered Joint caslngand tnb- taF- O. W. S. Co,'s drilling and Ashing tools. Tne Philadelphia & New York Cordage, and everything necessary in an oil woll out fit. The patronage of now companies being formed earnestly solicited. Drop a postal card and I will call on you. Tolephoen 1271. Be20-lC9-BSU AN EVEN DOLLAR'S VALUE For Every One Hundred Cents Received! THIS IS THE FAIR GIVE-AND-TAKE POLICY ' . Of our business. Have we the largest stocks? Beyond question ! Finest displays? Most as" suredly! Grandest assortments? Without doubt! Name lowest prices? Why, certainly! You need have no hesitation about taking our word it's as good as our bond. There is such a thing as conducting a legitimate business on principles that are scarcely legitimate, but that isn't our style. When you come to us for anything, from the Door Mat to the finest Satin Brocatelle Upholstered Parlor Suit, you place your interests in our hands, and if we betray your interests we cap be sure of one thing you won't come again. Now, if we can't make it an object for you to come to us for anything in our line of business, there is nobody who can. We have an unbroken record for the LOWEST PRICES AND THE MOST HONEST DEALING WE URGE YOU TO CALL AND SEE US. i PIONEERS OF LOW PRICE I 307 WOOD STREET, PITTSBURG, PA. N. B. In all probability we shall be able to publish the name of the winner of our Grand Prize Contest in next week's papers. To each contestant we shall mail a complete list of names, together with list of words, at the earliest possible moment on, WELL SUPPLY CO., 91 and 92 Water Street, PITTSBUEG, PA. FULL Patterns In cool, Hght-weiah 'i'j enltinss andtronserfn ha able. largest selection ot Tli Correot Stsries. H. & C. F. AHLERS, MEBCHAHTTaXtOBS, 420 SMITHFIELD STREET. Telephone, 13S9. JeM-rrasu noS3-TT3-soen fimfi! Mi Parlors Have Removed to NO. 4 SIXTH-ST., Boom No. VSecondvFloor. soil-Thau ?m77iL 4BTIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER 16 SISTH STBEET. Cabinets, $2 to $1 per dozen; petites, $1 pei dozen. Telephone 175L apS-73-Jtwreu D. L. Dowd's Health Exerciser. ?:r Broh-Wcrtsra i Salutary ?KjIe: Gentlemen, Ladle". TontLa: Athlete or Inxalld. A complete grmsaalnm. Takes no but 4 la uoara aaotioomt I new, scientific, durable, cotaprebenirf e, ! cheap. Indorsed by 30,000 physicians, I lawyers, clergymen, editors a otters I now usloir It. bend far HlnsJ rated el. cn!r, 40 enyrTin, nq charge. Prof. (tuns uii,) cal Coitus, East ICi it. a or York. DESKS OF EVERY DESCRIP. HO-i, LOWEST MtlCES. Also, the Celebrated Folding Chairs. LiWTTCHAIBS, ETJSTIC ROCKEBS, STEAMER CHAIRS, T7HEEL CHAIRS, INVALIDS' Goods, and other novelties. 8necial discounts ;now offered. BXiiVJiN8 GHAIE-CO., HO. 8 SiKii YwSM Sixth st, Pgh, Je21-sa THE mmmmnaanaBnnmmmummmBmMnamm J. HiiTLXv FINDS AL PIT ITS HEADQUARTERS OP THING AT GUSKY'S. Improved Letter Box. A well-known citizen of 25eir York has invented an improved letter box. The pillar mail bo: has a clock on which the time of the next.oollection is plainly shown, mid every letter is stamped at the moment of beiug'dropned'into the box with -the ex act time. The inventor claims: The time cf the mailing of each letter is stamped upon It, Trhich- will help to settle disputes oltcn arising as to tne time when letters were sent, and will thus relieve the Postal Department from much blame on account delayed letters, which were not really sent tt t'lie time stated. It shows how long it toni to transmit the Jettcr from point of lM.-ilicir to its destination, and, if there is a de'3y, makes it easy to locate it. It acts as e check on letter collectors, and, if they rktp boxes, the absence of cards to be dropped into the box before the mail is taken out will show :L I Jlr" dMBVrffi 1 We can fit your boys with Overcoats, no matter what their size or peculiarity of form. Our this season's stock, in all the newest shapes and styles, has no equal in this State. In our mag nificent gathering may be seen all latest brightest and best m an as selling Miniature InoandoBOemtiliamps. Some bcabtifnl specimens of tiny incan descent lights are now made for surgical use.. The smallest lamp manufactured is only 3 mm. diameter and S mm. long. In mcJical practice, where electricity is acquir irj an c cr-growing application, this lamp, Gvunt: to its email size, has madeit possible to thoroughly inpeet the bladderand stom ach, it. to -xhich it m bo Introduced. This cjijiilcation whs ilHrtrated at the Centen nial Exposition by r. fish, swirainlbg in an ariua.iuin wit- a Jamp br:ght!y plwviiig in iv noiach. Another .idaj.ii;on of the t n!-:li lnca.iderccnt lamp is to the copper laZx which fit tne handles orseohets now al lrt tmiversally employed with ei'tjetrie cauinruirt; 'cnh-l"?. A 5vstor vorkiegbnth onc of tar&o knives tu in an instauifciie- Come in a thousand strong of every shape and size of body, with pocketbooks lean or fat and with tastes as various as the colors of the rainbow, and we can fit and please vou all Overcoat There is satisfaction well as profit in such Uvercoats as we are placing on the backs of many of the city's nobbiest dressers this season at the rate of from ioo to 200 a day. rOie stock is a com plete one, it covers every thing from A to Z in the Overcoat line. See it be fore you purchase. Prices range from $5 to 35. Full line of extra sizes up to 52-inch breast measure. && ft el (: iL- f TW In the-.perusal of your Sunday pa per and see a few of the things in which we can fit you and your children. We won't even try to tell you of all the ways in which we are ready to fit and please you, for time would fail us, or you would. We'll name a few; come and see the rest We've Over coats to fit men of every size, shape and build. Suitsand-over-coats to fit boys of every age. Suits and over coats for the lit tle ones. Shoes "for all ages and both sexes. And best of all we fit yo-ur pocketbook. Economical fit ness is stamped upon everyarticle we sell. Here's a brief description of our mammoth showing of Boys' Long-Pant Suits at the present time. CHUL Gay effects, solid effects, quiet hues, made and trim med in the best of style at rock-bottom prices. Parents who contem plate buying their boys Overcoats, and there must be thousands of such, should not fail to see our assortment In magnitude and merit it far outshines anything ever seen in this city-heretofore. Description would only perplex you inspection will convince. Look at those between $3 and Trim, handsome and happy are the little fellows who get fitted in an over coat from our matchless stock. Mothers should remem ber that many of the styles we show cannot be seen in anv other store in town, as they were made espe cially for us. Kilt Overcoats, Cape Overcoats, Ulsters, eta, in bewildering vari ety.and our well known low prices cover alL We can fit your head in I hats, and save you from 50 cents to $1 while we are doing it Brand new styles at Vr J ' j'c5 S1.24, J 1.49 1 U We have, without ques tion, the largest and most attractive assortment of Children's Suits in the city. Scores of styles that are exclusively ours, perfect beauties, which need but to be seen to be appreciated. A grand show ing of Kilts, and a choice showing of 11 1 BnatiM nBcBMSA. i-l iim iiiBHmBmBMD ( Bi mamast 300 TO 400 MARKET ST. S9HiHH&l A crranrl qlimv. sW$J. jfljBEHn ingof Kilts, and a Tea A ffipiiiiilfSaiTi choice showing of h- HHHHp short-pant MY rg suits . JJ ff SNfi ;Pfe yffl Which simply J W. l JMI m takes in every-fefe $1.75 Til $8. Wf !! TU HI 5io. I NT " a 9 AkM MIMIAl u-us WHAT IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS? Wo want to send you our now Catalogue for Fall and winter and will do bo upon request. Full of valuable Information for out-of-town customers. The Mall Orders we fill never fail to give full satisfaction. Try us and be convinced. Suits fit for every use and purpose. Suits for work ing, for school, for home or street wear, for dress purposes and for set occa sions. Clothing for boys be tween 10 and 18 years is a separate department with us, and this season we are more than maintaining our reputation for selling cloth ing that fits, pleases and wears well at a price not matched by any. Look at the lines be tween $2 50 -and $10. You'll be suited. K!Y The-tabies in-our-Suit De partment groan under a wealth of style, beautyand diversity-of fabrics. Even the big word thousands fails to .convey an adequate idea of the extenfrofthe vast stock we are now showing. Single ordouble-breasted sacks, with square and round corners, and stylish cutaways in Cassimeres, .Cheviots, Thibets, Tricots, plain and fancy Worsteds, Corkscrews and Diagonals. In style and color of fabric everything from the loudest to the most refined and neat Our perfect-fitting, ready-to-wear clothing is equal to the better class of custom work at one-third less than merchant tailors' prices. A multitude of styles between $& and $20. 300 TO 400 MARKET ST,
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