| From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph |
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| May 2, 1862 |
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| Necessity the Mother of Invention |
| {Page torn}
wn 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 mou8ntings 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, has succeeded in making the
composition for crucibles to be used in melting brass, all the foreign
crucibles having been exhausted. As the {page
torn} s 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
{page torn} envelope
the enterprise and ingenuity {page torn} le.
If the war endures two or {page torn} longer
we shall know a good deal { page torn} now!
Who doubts that? |
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