Conctusiona.—Some idea can now be formed of the importance of the work in progress at Niagara, and as to the extent to which there still remain questions which can only be answered by experience. It has been stated that the tail-race tunnel, the greatest of the constructional works required, together with the great surface inlet canal, are already in construction. Seine land has already been leased with the right to take water for 3,000 horse power, and probably twice as much subsequently. Machinery for a first instalment of the generating plant, comprising turbines of 10,000 of horse-power, air-compressing machinery for 5,000 horse-power, and electric machinery for 5,000 horse-power, has been contracted for. The two systems of power transmission which are most available will thus be tried side by side, and extensions can be made in whichever direction seems advisable after some experience is gained, and as fast as the demand for them arises.
The Niagara project differs from any similar undertaking primarily in the magnitude of the work undertaken. But it is precisely this which has led to the adoption of plans of power distribution as a supplement to water distribution. Such plans, on a smaller scale, it is true, but in conditions in many respects greatly more difficult, have been carried out successfully in Europe. Indeed, with respect to the distribution of power within a distance of four or five miles from the power generating station, it may be asserted that the distri bution can be effected either by compressed air or by electricity, with certainty and economy, by methods well understood• by appliances which have been already used and tested in practical work, and without at any point having to encounter any unforeseen difficulty. Compressed air has the advantage that it can be used on the consumers' works in machinery of well-understood type. The air motor is merely a simplified steam engine with out boilers, and requiring less attention in working than a steam engine. There are also many subsidiary operations which could be carried on more easily by compressed air than in any other way. As to electricity, it would seem likely to prove a cheaper means of trans
mission than compressed air, and its adoption now in many factories, especially for lifting machinery, seems to show that ordinary workmen soon become capable of managing the new appliances required. The transmission of power to Buffalo is a problem of somewhat greater novelty and difficulty. The advantage of transmission to a town where manufactures already exist is obvious enough. Compressed air can, it appears, be taken to Buffalo without any excessive waste and at a cost which would leave to steam no chance of successful rivalry. It could be used for power purposes with the least amount of change in existing machinery in the factories. On the other hand, electricity seems specially adapted for a long-distance transmission. The Frankfort experiment shows that whether or not the best method of transmission electrically to such a distance is yet determined, yet such a trans mission is perfectly practicable by methods which are known. The development of electrical power transmission has recently been so rapid that before the Buffalo transmission has to be undertaken, important improvements are likely to be effected.
The new industry of electric lighting has made it necessary to produce mechanical power for driving the dynamos in very large quantity, and new chemical and metallurgical processes are being discovered, which en tirely depend for their commer cial success on the provision of cheap motive power. The electric reducing processes by which alu minium is being obtained, electric depositing processes used in ob taining high-class copper, electric welding processes, and others must drift to places where cheap power in large quantity can be ob tained. Niagara is likely to be come not only a great manufact uring center, but the home of im portant industries of a new type.
Nickel-in-slot Machine : see Vending Machine.
',Nickel Steel : see Alloys and Armor.
Nozzles, Hose : see Fire Ap pliances.