NP, MT 5/1/1862

From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
 
May 1, 1862
 
Necessity the Mother of Invention
   Down in the Southwestern Rail Road Machine shops the other day, we found various manufactures in progress, born with much labor of the necessitous condition of the country. We found armorers at work making swords -- a great many of which, of various patterns, have been forged and polished in these shops. The artillery sword, a large number of which they are making for the government, is in truth a most beautiful weapon of classical shape, short and heavy, with brass mountings and handle. The pattern of the sword was designed by Mr. Elfe, the ingenious Master Machinist, and has been highly approved by the government. Besides these, swords for all the other branches of service have been made in large numbers, as also a great many pikes. Much trouble was experienced, many experiments made, and a long time consumed in acquiring the art of tempering these blades; but they have it now in perfection, and are carrying on the business of manufacturing tools of all kinds for their road. They were making a lot of augurs at the time of our visit, and informed us that the superintendents of repairs reported their domestic augurs worth in point of durability and effectiveness, double as much as the old Northern tools, which were got up cheaply and of inferior steel. Lastly, the Master Machinist, after much study and experiment, had succeeded in making the composition for crucibles to be used in melting brass, all the foreign crucibles having been exhausted. As the reader is aware, the principal component of these crucibles is black lead, the brass requiring so great a heat to fuse it, that no metal can be used for a melting pot. Thus it is, that difficulties develops the enterprise and ingenuity of a people. If the war endures two or three years longer we shall know a good deal three years longer we shall know a good deal more than we do now! Who doubts that?

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