The furnace at present in use is charged in substantially the same manner, and the current is supplied by a Brush machine of variable electromotive force driven by an equivalent of forty horse power.  A Brush machine capable of utilizing 125 horse power, or two and one-half times as large as any hitherto constructed by the Brush Electric Company, is being made for the Cowles Electric Smelting and Aluminum Company, and this machine will soon be in operation.  Experiments already made so that aluminum, silicon, boron, manganese, magnesium, sodium and potassium can be reduced from their oxides with ease.  In fact, there is no oxide that can withstand temperatures attainable in this electrical furnace.  Charcoal is changed to graphite.  Does this indicate fusion or solution of carbon?  As to what can be accomplished by converting enormous electrical energy into heat within a limited space, it can only be said that it opens the way into an extensive field for both pure and applied chemistry.  It is not difficult to conceive of temperatures limited only by the capability of carbon to resist fusion.  The results to be obtained with the large Brush machine above mentioned will be of some importance in this direction.

Since the cost of the motive power is the chief expense in accomplishing reductions by this method, its commercial success is closely connected with the cheapest form of power to be obtained.  Realizing the importance of this point, the Cowles Electric Smelting and Aluminum Company has purchased an extensive and reliable water power, and works are soon to be erected for the utilization of 1,200 horse power.  An important feature in the use of these furnaces, from a commercial standpoint, is the slight technical skill required in their manipulation.  The four furnaces in operation in the experimental laboratory at Cleveland are in charge of two young men twenty years of age, who, six months ago, knew absolutely nothing of electricity.  The products at present manufactured are the various grades of aluminum bronze made from a rich furnace product that is obtained by adding copper to the charge of ore, silicon bronze prepared in the same manner, and aluminum silver, an alloy of aluminum with several other metals.  A boron bronze may be prepared by the reduction of boracic acid in contact with copper.

As commercial results may be mentioned the production in the experimental laboratory, which averages fifty pounds of 10 per cent. aluminum bronze daily, and it can be supplied to the trade in large quantities at prices based on $5 per pound for the aluminum contained, the lowest market quotation of this metal being at present $15 per pound.  Silicon bronze can be furnished at prices far below those of the French manufacturers.