Passing Comments
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THE war often puts a cat
Trade Practices do not Always Produce True Economy . . .
amongst the pigeons in respect of certain old-established practices, which, from their antiquity, have come to be regarded as impossible to modify. An example of this comes from the G.P.O. in connection with its economies in tin, that metal of such great value to the war effort. The grade of solder introduced some years before the war for plumbed cable joints has a tin content of only 31i per cent.; this permits no further reduction, even in the present emergency. Despite this, however, a wiped joint, which previously required 21 oz. of solder, and was representative of good plumbing-trade practice, is now made with only 7 oz.—a saving of 661, per cent. It has been proved that shorter and less bulbous joints are fully effective and not only stronger than the cable-sheath and lead-jointing sleeve, but are also free from porosity,, as tested by a 20 lb. air pressure. Likewise, plumber's solder, which is an inferior grade to tinman's, can give quick satisfactory results if it be used in very thin sticks, which
avoid difficulties caused by the higher melting point. There are no doubt many other applications whore what we must now consider to be waste could be obviated without much trouble or inferior results.
WHILST the one-time sportIry ing motorist is turning envious eyes on the Peep, now to be seen in this country in . considerable numbers, it is highly unlikely that in the post-war period there will be any substantial demand by private purchasers for such a vehicle. Nevertheless, there will probably be large numbers for disposal, and it would seem that their greatest potential value would be to the agricultural community. A powerful engine in conjunction with ultralow bottom gear and all-wheel drive should enable the Peep to undertake many of the functions now allotted to the tractor, whilst its uses as a farm hack would be unlimited, Certainly it might confer the blessings of mechanization on many for whom they would otherwise be long deferred. Will it be Possible to Utilize the Peeps on Farms? T hey Also Serve . pRACTICALLY everyone Who Only Stand and I will admit what a tough job Wait it is being a conductress on the buses, and it is amazing how cheerful some of the women remain. It needs a firm tone to say "No more, thank you," when the bus is loaded, but it can be said cheerfully and with humour, too. We were recently waiting in a long bus queue in the Midlands and were the last allowed to get on. To the conductress we remarked what a pity it was to have to leave an elderly womair standing there in the rain. The illuminating reply was: " Ee, well luv it's better to leave her standing there whole than overload this bus and inaybe land us all in little pieces." We were cheered and amused by this logical piece of 'wit, which came from the lips of a north-country lass. U.S.A. Rationing of A S a result of the reduction Tractors Must Force in the supplies of steel and . . other dontrblled materials to ' the farm-machinery industry in the U.S.A., further _cuts in the number of tractors and farm implements to be produced there have come into force for the year which began on November 1, when all such equipment in the States was rationed. Exports to Canada, the United Kingdom, etc., are already tightly controlled. British f,armers will realize that amongst the factors which have made necessary this rationing is the substantial quantity of equipment which America has provided on Lease-Lend terms to meet our needs. This adds force to our recent remarks upon the need for the more effective maintenance and care of tractors, etc.