Street-wash′er.
A name sometimes given to a hydrant or fire-plug from which the street may be sprinkled or washed, by a jet from hose and nozzle. An invention for this purpose was introduced into Glasgow, in April, 1868, by Mr. Sim. On one side of the roadway, pipes were laid next the pavement, and con nected with the water-main. The pipes were drilled with holes one tenth of an inch in diameter. On turning the water on from the main, it squirted across the street, completely and speedily watering, and, if required, washing the roadway “Engineering” describes a new process for “laying the dust” in streets, devised by a Mr. Cooper, who, amongst other contracts, undertook the watering for the parish of Marylebone, one of the largest in London, at a reduction of some fifty per cent on the other tenders. Mr. Cooper's system of watering is based upon the principle of utilizing the moisture always suspended in the atmosphere, by saturating the roads with a solution of deliquescent salts. Upwards of one million gallons of the solution have been distributed over various lengths of road with important and incidental advantages, exclusive of the enormous saving in water and labor. Apparently a sort of concrete is formed of the detritus of the road surface and the chemicals employed in the solution; for, although a road watered on this system may appear at first sight to be perfectly dry, upon closer inspection it will be seen that the dust is concreted together in masses too large to be blown about by the wind. It is stated that the chemicals employed in the above solution have proved very destructive to the hoofs and feet of horses. Quien sabe |
| Street-sweeping machine. |
