As this new development superseded the older one and proved entirely adequate for the needs of Mr. Loines’ country place, the old development was made over so that it could be utilized for sawing firewood to supply the superintendent’s cottage and the other buildings during the winter. A countershaft was erected on the wall of the old power house, which is a building 7 feet by 10 feet in plan and about 8 feet high. This countershaft has three counterpulleys, by means of which the speed of the waterwheel may be doubled or trebled. For the purpose of sawing firewood a leather belt is placed on one of the pulleys of the countershaft and run through a small aperture in the side of the power house to the driving pulley of a circular saw, which stands on a small porch at one end of the power house building.
Mr. Loines’ superintendent stated that by operating the saw continuously for eight hours it would be possible to saw twelve cords of wood, which he estimated to be sufficient to supply his cottage, and such other of the buildings as need wood, for the entire winter. This illustrates very aptly the large amount of work that a small power is capable of doing in a short time.
In addition to lighting his house and buildings by means of the power developed at his new [power house], Mr. Loines also has a rather unusual application of power on his summer place. He is an enthusiastic student of astronomy and has built a small but elaborately equipped observatory on the hillside above the cottage. The observatory is so constructed that the roof can be removed entirely from the building to a support at the back of the observatory. The roof is mounted on wheels and Mr. Loines uses his electric power to do the work of moving the roof when he wishes to make astronomical observations with his telescope. This is accomplished by means of a small 1½-horsepower motor which operates at 1275 revolutions per minute and is connected by belt to a countershaft, which in turn is connected by a worm gear and a chain drive to the carriage on which the roof is supported. In this manner the roof may be moved the required distance in two or three minutes by simply throwing the switch which is inside the observatory building.
Stephen Loines’ Power House,
Northwest Bay, Lake George
At left, 4-in. water pipe; at right,
transmission line connection
Mr. Loines’ new power house is a stone masonry building, the masonry being uncoursed rubble, constructed in a very artistic and attractive manner. The building is 9½ feet by 15½ feet in plan and is about 9 feet high to the eaves. It has a concrete foundation and the floor is of first-class concrete. A concrete foundation, about 3 feet by 5 feet, provides a permanent support for the water motor and the generator. This foundation projects 6 inches above the level of the concrete floor. On one end of the foundation stands the waterwheel, there being an opening about 8 inches by 18 inches through the concrete base under the water motor to carry off the water after it has passed through the wheel. The supply pipe for the waterwheel enters the side of the building on a level about one foot above the floor. Just inside, the pipe reduces to a diameter of about 2½ inches and is fitted with a gate valve by means of which the water may be turned on or off. The nozzle of the waterwheel is also equipped with an adjusting device by means of which the size of the jet issuing from the nozzle may be varied in order to secure various speeds or the maximum efficiency of the waterwheel. The setting required to give the desired speed is determined by experiment by the operator.
FARM POWER DEVELOPMENT IN
SCHOHARIE COUNTY
At the entrance to the driveway approach to the farmhouse of Jared Van Wagenen, Jr., at Lawyersville, Schoharie county, N. Y., stand two large, stone gateway posts. On the capstone of one of these posts is engraved, “Agriculture the Oldest Occupation,” and on the other, “Agriculture the Greatest Science.” In keeping with the latter sentiment, Mr. Van Wagenen has conducted his agricultural operations in such a manner that he is looked upon as one of the most scientific and progressive agriculturists in the State. He takes an active interest in such affairs as farmers’ institutes and is considered an authority on the science of agriculture. His farm and buildings are equipped with the most modern conveniences and labor-saving devices.