Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/154

132&#93; 132] STE cadilly, obtained a patent for new- invented stays, for women and others. They consist of a back and front-piece, both of which are supported by strips of whale-bone, that are nearly parallel : the two pieces are joined by means of hooks and eyes, or similar contrivances, which meet at the side, and admit of being accommodated to the size of the wearer. Farther, these stays are made of such a length, as not to produce any inconvenience on sitting down j and arc asserted to be pricci pally calculated for cor- recting deformities, as well as for supporting the abdomen, where tliis aid should be required ; as they may be lined and stufted, or padded, at pleasure. STEAM, denotes the visible, moist vapour ascending from hot or boiling liquors j and also from substances containing humidity, which is easily evaporated by a de- gree of beat, that is insufficient for their combustion. Steam being one of the most powerful agents in Nature, is an objeft of great importance to ma- nufadhires,^ as well as to horticul- ture. Hence several machines, known under the names of steam- engines, have been invented, with a view to facilitate the operations of extensive iron-works, and also to expel noxious exhalations from mines. Among these contrivances, that by Mr. James Watt, of Bir- mingham, first deserves honourable mention for its ingenuity ; next in order of time, is Mr. Jokathan Hornblower's machine, for rais- ing water or other liquids by means of fire and steam, for which a pa- tent was granted in 1/81 j then Mr, James Sadler's engine for diminishing the consumption of f team and fuel, as well an gaining STE a considerable effed in time and force ; in consequence of which, he obtained a patent in June, 179I j and lastly, the Rev. Mr. Edmund Cartwright's improvements in construiSting, working, and apply- ing steam-engines ; for which a patent was granted to him in No- vember, 1797- — As, however, a description of these respcAive in- ventions would be unintelligible, without the aid of numerous en- gravings, the curious reader will consult the 4th, 7th, and 10th vols, of c Repertory of Arts, &c. where full specifications are inserted, and illustrated witlj plates. Farther, steam may be made subservient to the purpose of pro- moting vegetation 3 by means of flues and other contrivances, con- duced beneath hot-houses : — with this economical design, various suc- cessful experiments have been made under the inspeftion of the Earl of Derby, and also by Thomas Wakefield, Esq. of Northwich. Our limits, however, being circum- scribed, we cannot specify the ma- chinery invented by Mr. W. ; be- cause such account would necessa- rily be deficient without an en- granng. We shall therefore only remark, that during the last five years, the steam has been used in his vine-house, with the best suc- cess ; the plants vegetating with uncommon luxuriance throughout the summer ; and producing " the. greatest abundance of large and well - flavoured fruit." — Another advantage attending this new tne- thod of raising fruit is, that it pre- vents the depredations of the red spider : because, if a sufficient vo- lume of steam be applied, that de- fitruAive inse6l never appears. For a more minute account of the nu- merous trials made with Mr. W a k b-