1 A non-conducting coating for steam pipes, etc., used for
' many years with perfect satisfaction, can bo prepared by any
; steam user. It consists of a mixture of wood sawdust with
common starch, used in a state of thick paste. If the surfaces
to be covered are well cleaned from all trace of grease, the
adherence of the paste is perfect for either cast or wrought iron;
and a thickness of 1 inch will produce the same efEect as that J
I of the most costly non-conductors. For copper pipes there ■
1 should be used a priming coat or two of potter's clay, mixed ■
[ thin with water and laid on with a brush. The sawdust is 1

of rye starch is the best for thia purpose. It is the common 1
practice to wind string spirally round the pipes to be treated to ^k



PIPE AND BOILER COVERmoS.
secure adhesion for the first coat, which is about l-6th of an
inch thick. When this aetB, a second and a third coat arc eue-
cessfully applied, and so on until the required thickneas is
attained. When it ia all dry, two or three coata of coal tar,
applied with a brush, protect it from the weather.
A very efficient covering may be made aa follows; 1, wrap
the pipe in aabcstos paper — though this may be dispensed with;
2, lay Blips of wood lengthways, from 6 to 13 according to sizo
of pipe — binding them in position with wire or cord; 3, around
the framework thus constructed wrap roofing paper, fastening
it by paste or twine. For flanged pipe, apace may be left for
acccaa to the bolts, which space should be filled with felt. Use
tarred paper— or paint the ezterior.
