WCP45

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

March 23rd. 1902

My dear Will¹

I have now got the Report on Acetylene, & it is so important that I have ordered a copy to be sent to you. On p. 6 you will find the desiderata of an Acetylene Generator 5 in number; and on p. 67 the essential conditions for safety. Of these 2. and 5. seem most important.

On pp. 8. & 9. is a list of Generators tested, with the results as regards most of these essential points.

Both "The Darque" and "Bailey & Chaplains" are below the required standard of gas-production (90 p. c.)

Of the 10 non-automatic generators, (which the Committee prefer) the Allen ^"Ideal" has the highest production (97.59^99.80), and the max. pressure in the generator and in other parts of the apparatus (3, 5 and 8,^4—) [2] is also very low. This would seem therefore to be the best in the Committee’s opinion.

The next non-automatic is the last "Willey’s No. 2" — 96.15 percent of Gas and 5 pressure.

Of the Automatic’s "Allens" and the "Economic" seem to be the two best, but several others are nearly as good. If you have a London Directory in your office, or a list of Engineering firms, please send me the addresses of the above 4, — & I will write for their prospectuses &c.

The "Ideal," as figured at p. 17, seems of very simple construction, but without a full description of the mode of working I do not [3] quite see the difference between the Automatic & Non-automatic. Can you give me an opinion as to "simplicity of construction," which the Committee think very important.

This week we have got on with the work below the ground floor, all the exposed parts of the basement being faced with Bridgewater bricks which look very well. Percy Curtis has also put in the floor joists over the back cellar, & has now probably done so over the front. Most of the bricks are now ordered but they have to be got from 3 different places as they seem very scarce. Gravel, sand, lime, cement, & bricks, are being constantly carted up — also scaffold poles are on the ground.

I have had to put wire netting [4] all round the 3 acres — nearly 500 yards

1 1/4 inch mesh, 2 feet high, as without it the gardener says all our vegetables will be eaten & many of our shrubs & flowers destroyed. I had already put up sheep-netting 4 ft. high along the bottom, & this will be now cut lengthways in two & put up above the small mesh, & with some old netting I have will go nearly round the other & prevent the rabbits from jumping over.

I have also got Mr. Donkin to make an alteration in the house which I am sure is an improvement & which I will explain next week. I have bought from Jenning’s pottery their patent warm-air fireplace entirely of a solid mass of fire-clay with air chambers behind, for my study.

Yours affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace — [signature]