of a succession of sheaths or layers of yarn which may be peeled off one by one till the last section is reached. The constantly increasing bulk due to the laying on of these concentric rings has the effect of lengthening the yarns of each succeeding layer in corresponding graduations so that one taken from the outside of a strand in a rope 11⁄2 inches in diameter is nearly 18 per cent. longer than that taken from the centre. The difference of course being greater in a thicker rope. This also insures a more compact mass of fibres than may be compressed into the same area by any other process, thus securing a higher breaking strain, greater diving force and longer life, besides immunity from undue stretching. The result of even lay and tension is well manifested in the open strand, Figure 48 particularly, if compared with the inside of a strand upon which no such care in construction has been bestowed. The effect of malconstruction is to be seen in the crinkling up of the inner yarns at the expense of straining the outer ones, which must soon yield under driving stress and release by degrees the less taut yarns below the surface, them selves providing ample scope for extension, so that frequent tightening becomes a disagreeable necessity. There is practically no limit to the length of the rope, represented by Figure 50, except convenience for transit, which is an undoubted advantage for large installations where it may be necessary to maintain a stock against breakdowns or indeed for export purposes generally. The large coil of rope reproduced contains nearly 234 miles of rope 11⁄2 inches in diameter, in one continuous length, and gained the Diploma of Honor at the Brussels and Turin Exhibitions. HOW TO SPLICE DRIVING ROPES. All that has been said upon the make of driving ropes and their application to the transmission of power, would be of little value were the matter of splicing omitted. Good splicing is so important to the well being of the system generally that rather than have installations spoiled by indifferent workmanship, expert splicers are sent out from England to various parts of the continent of Europe, to Russia, India, South Africa, Central America, regularly to Canada, and occasionally to the United States. Any description of the method of manipulation, however illustrated, is at best but an imperfect substitute for actual demonstration. The photograph however, illustrates the necessity for two assistants to each splicer, who hold the rope firmly to prevent the twist closing in as a strand is removed from one side to be replaced from the other, which process because of its superior elasticity, requires greater care in cotton than manilla. These are the three pairs of hands shown in each succeeding figure. The extra length taken up by the splicing is represented by about 82 diameters of the rope or say 12 feet for 134 inch. The first operation is to ascertain the net length required, and this is done by passing a stretchless string or fine wire (anything so elastic as cotton should not be used for the purpose) around the circuit of the entire drive, which is then cut off and afterwards shortened to allow for rope shrinkage in about the following proportions:-3 per cent. at 50 feet, 5 at 100, and 6 at 200. The above figures are thus reduced to 48 feet 6 inches, 95 feet and 188 feet respectively. The measurement decided upon is then marked off and whipped with twine at the point indicated upon the rope, already uncoiled and laid straight upon the floor; beginning at half the length of the intended splicing from one end, that is six feet for a rope 134 inches diameter and allowing the same length at the other. A splicer having little experience in the handling of cotton ropes would probably do better by stretching the rope in blocks to its full extent, rather than attempt to make deductions for skrinkage. These arrangements completed, the splicing may be commenced and carried out in the following manner: Bind the two opposing strands thus treated together as close as the whippings will allow, cut through two of the four remaining strands (the second downwards from the binding in each case), open these out downwards, leaving the lower portions together to preserve their shape, for if divided they will untwist and be spoiled for laying in, as shown in next figure. Cut off one of the outer whippings, replace the strand on that |