The same firm are also constructing large river-side works at Nine Elms for the London Gas-Light Company for a Ship's Berth, from the design and under the superintendence of Robert Morton, Esq., the Company's Engineer.
A very striking feature is connected with the latter works, as it is proposed to bring vessels up the river capable of carrying 1,000 tons of coals which will be discharged by the use of hydraulic cranes and delivered by tram direct into the Gas Works.
Adjacent are the Silicated Carbon Filter Company's Works. Whenever man has arrived at any considerable degree of civilization the subject of water supply had a share in his solicitude, and it is questionable if our modern works for supplying water surpass those of ancient Judea, Greece, Rome, Mexico and other places. The effect of impure water on the health and life of the community was alas, too painfully evinced by the outbreak of cholera in 1854-1866, and by the reports of medical officers as to the cause of typhoid fever.
The Silicated Carbon Filters are so constructed that the solid matter deposited on the filtering medium can be easily cleansed away. They entirely remove from water all organic matter and every trace of lead, and for all domestic purposes they may be said to render water absolutely pure. Testimonials from eminent authorities describe the extraordinary power possessed by these filters of entirely freeing water from every noxious quality.
Contiguous are the premises belonging to Mr. H. Bollman Condy, the Inventor, Patentee, and Manufacturer of Antiseptic Aromatic Vinegar, "Condy's Fluid," and "Condy's Ozonised Sea Salt."
Adjoining are the Citizen Steamboat Company's Works and Dock, whose steamboats leave Battersea to London Bridge and intervening piers every ten minutes from 8 a.m. till dark. Entrance: Bridge Road. Manager: Mr. M. Williams.
Situated in Wellington Road is A. Ransome & Co.'s Battersea Foundry.
S. Williams' Barge Works, Albert Road.
ORLANDO JONES & CO.'S STARCH WORKS.—Oryza is the name by which rice was known to the Greeks and Romans and which has been adopted by botanists as the generic name of the plant yielding that valuable grain. The name Paddy is applied to the rice in the natural state, or before being separated from the husk. The genua Oryza has two glumes to a single flower; paleae two, nearly equal, adhering to the seed; stamens six, and styles two. The common rice Oryza Sativa unlike many cultivated grams is still found in a wild state in and about the borders of lakes in the Rajahmundy Circare though the grain in its wild state is white, palatable and considered wholesome the produce when compared with the varieties of cultivation is very small. The rice plant is described as a native of India from which country it has spread over a great part of the world especially in Asia where it forms the principal portion of the food of the inhabitants. A failure of the rice crop is most disastrous as has been experienced too painfully by the natives of India during the late famine in that region. "A rice field produces a much greater quantity of food than the most fertile corn fields. Two crops in the year, from thirty to sixty bushels each, are said to be the ordinary produce of an acre." Rice is now extensively cultivated in North and South Carolina, and in Georgia, also in Italy and the South of Spain and likewise a little in Germany. There are forty or fifty varieties of rice. Dr. Roxburgh divides them into two kinds. One called in Telinga, Poonas Sans; the second division of cultivated rice is called Pedder Worloo by the Telingas.