OCCASIONAL NOTES.

SMALL MOTORS.

The advantages of mechanical power have never been more appreciated than at the present time, when trade depression enforces economy in every industry and branch of production. Attention has accordingly been keenly directed of late towards that class of prime movers known as ‘small motors,’ deriving their power either from some central supply, or themselves generating the motive energy. A wide field undoubtedly lies open to such motive force, not merely in the domestic operations—pumping water for house-supply, driving, sewing, and culinary machinery—but also in such industrial work as cutting, chopping, grinding, churning, and sawing; in addition to the numberless requirements of the smaller manufactories and workshops.

Gas-engines have already reached a high stage of perfection, and in towns where gas can be procured at a moderate cost, large numbers of these motors are actively and advantageously employed in the various operations just enumerated. The production of the gas at one central source, prior to its distribution, is, it may be remarked, on economical grounds, a very perfect arrangement, for the loss incidental to a series of small producers is avoided. A similar law holds true of steam, it being well known that a number of small engines driven from one large boiler give a considerably higher duty than if each engine had its own small boiler.

The employment of water-pressure has of late received considerable impulse; and in large cities, systems of high-pressure supply are now laid down. The power is supplied from accumulators worked by pumping-engines at central stations, and a pressure of one thousand pounds per square inch is not unfrequently maintained in the mains. For lifts and hydraulic hoists, this system of transmitting power has been eminently successful; for other purposes, it has not as yet realised the expectations of its introducers, mainly, it is asserted, from difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory motor which shall transform the pressure into motion.

Cost of production has as yet debarred electricity from competing commercially as a transmitter of power; viewing, however, the extraordinary progress recently made, it would be rash to assert how much further a comparatively near future may not bring us, if we would read the future by the past.

Recently, a vacuum-engine has been produced, which attracted considerable attention at the Inventions Exhibition, and from what has been achieved in a very short time, promises well. Amongst the advantages claimed for this engine is the fact that once started, no further attention is requisite for many hours. By an ingenious use of gun-metal in the cylinder, valves, &c., lubrication is rendered unnecessary; whilst, by means of a hopper boiler, the furnace is self-feeding. Explosion is, of course, impossible, the engine working below atmospheric pressure.

This engine has been employed in small electric-light installations; and from its regular motion and the ease with which it is managed, is undoubtedly eminently adapted for this class of work; whilst the smallness of its coal-consumption and the high duty attained have procured the highest awards at the hands of all juries who have examined it.

In the future of ‘small motors,’ a future that appears an extended one, this new vacuum motor will doubtless play a not unimportant part.

A BOOK OF CLAN TARTANS.

Whether the kilt did or did not form part of the ‘garb of old Gaul’ may be left for the discussion of antiquaries, but there can be no doubt about the antiquity of tartans. As is well known, the various clans in the Scottish Highlands were distinguished from each other not only by their names, their badges, their war-cries, but also by the particular pattern and colour of the tartan which they wore. In the magnificently printed volume just issued by Messrs W. & A. K. Johnston, entitled The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland, lovers of the Highland garb will be delighted by the splendid reproduction in colours of the tartan of seventy-one clans or septs. Nothing can excel the accuracy and beauty with which the cloth, both in colour and texture, has been imitated in these plates. Each plate, moreover, is accompanied by a few notes on the clan to which the particular tartan appertains.

THE INFANT BAND OF PORT JACKSON.

There is at present lying in Port Jackson, Australia, a training-ship called the Vernon, and some of the boys who have musical ability are regularly trained in the study of music, with the view to becoming efficient musicians, and thereby able to take their place in military or orchestral bands. So small are these children, that it has been jokingly said half a dozen of them could readily be accommodated in their own big drum; whilst the grand ophicleide would afford a comfortable lodging for one or two at least! But small as they are, their playing is one of the wonders of the neighbourhood, and the delight of all who have had the good fortune to hear them. These diminutive artists execute classical music, as well as music of a lighter character, with a vigour and precision, and a finished taste and expression that are nearly incredible, and should be heard to be believed. In fact, many an ordinary military band might well take a lesson from them in the grace and point with which they play, and also in the perfect tune and delicacy of tone of all their instruments—virtues that are not common to boys’ bands; extreme roughness, want of tune and tone, and total absence of grace or expression, being the usual failings of juvenile players. That the Vernon band is carefully taught, and trained with the utmost care and skill, there can be little doubt; and great credit is due to the directors and commander of the vessel, which, apart from the unrivalled band, is a model as regards drill, discipline, order, and cleanliness. The Vernon is maintained entirely at the cost of the state, not by private subscriptions, donations, or rates.

DAIRY EXPERIMENTS.

Lord Vernon, who was last year President of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association, made a proposal for the institution of experiments, with the object of solving the following questions: (1) What is the smallest quantity of food upon which stall-fed cattle can be successfully and economically kept? (2) To what extent does a further supply of food repay its cost in the enhanced value of the milk? (3) What relation should the constituents of the food have to each other to produce milk, butter, and cheese? It was suggested that these experiments should be carried out under the superintendence of a Committee of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association; and Lord Vernon, who undertook to provide everything necessary for their use, desired that any information obtained should be published for the benefit of those connected with dairy-farming.