This time we shall describe three telescopes. The first is by H. B. Scott, National Cash Register Co., Dayton, Ohio. His own description is brief in the extreme. The mounting is of the well -known "Springfield" type, invented by a Russell W. Porter, co-author of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN instruction book "Amateur Telescope Making." The castings for these mountings are available in various metals and are made up to order from a standard set of patterns at Springfield, Vermont.

Mr. Scott states that his mirror is a 12-inch, with focal length of 10 feet. Evidently his focal length is so great that he can not use the usual diagonal mirror which, with a second diagonal, confers upon this type of mounting its most valuable quality, the ability to see in any direction through a stationary, fixed eyepiece without craning the neck.

H L. ROGERS, a real estate broker, 10 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, has made a whole family of telescopes (see A.T.M., page 220) and now sends in a picture of his latest "edition," a 12-inch reflector. He writes:

"The focus of the 12-inch mirror, which is 1 1/2-inch thick, is eight feet. The tube, which is revolvable, is eight feet long; of 18-gage galvanized iron, riveted and finished in gray Duco. The mirror rests on three adjustable three-inch disks. The drums of a Ford transmission will be in evidence if the photograph is examined closely. There is a close fitting cover for the mirror cell, for the diagonal, and for the end of the tube.

"The finder is mounted fairly well away from the tube so that either eye may be used. Adjustment of the finder is by having slightly slotted holes in the tube, so that the supports may be spread for vertical adjustment and moved sideways for lateral adjustment. This works well, without the necessity of the usual ring and screw arrangement.

"After setting the whole thing up, I found that my arm was about three feet too short to reach the slow motion in right ascension. By means of an old golf stick and a home made spring of steel wire which just fitted over the projecting end of the slow-motion spindle sufficiently tight to take hold, and with the end of the spring turned up at right angles like a finger to engage in the spokes of the little hand wheel, I was able to rig up a very effective means of working the slow motion while standing on a ladder at the eyepiece. This will work at 90 degrees where a universal joint would not.

"The clamps in declination and R.A. are metal-to-metal friction bands turned in the lathe and are adjusted by a small screw, allowing the telescope to move easily without binding and yet they hold it in place when necessary.

"I enclose a local newspaper's idea of a description of a telescope; life has scarcely been worth living since this appeared. However, I am bearing up bravely."

FROM time to time we have received certain premonitions that Mrs. Margaret L. Wiesenberg, of Christian Witness to Israel, Inc., 521 West 179th Street, New York, was making a telescope. And now we can prove it: Mrs. Wiesenberg, at our special request, sends us a photograph of telescope and maker. We can bear witness that she has a good grasp of the work, both practical and theoretical. The parts of the telescope we have seen look as shiny as a new dollar, and the whole job looks fit, and is fit, to use in regular astronomical work.

Latest advice is that another woman a missionary stationed away out in Sumatra, is starting a telescope. Yet we occasionally hear from some man who fears he can not do the work.

IN the last number we spoke of popularizing seismology. We have received One remarkable suggestion–from an amateur telescope maker, at that: "By attaching a seismograph to a telescope," he says, "it might be possible to record "quakes (they wouldn't be called earthquakes, of course) on Mars and the other planets." What an idea! Thus is Yankee inventiveness vindicated. We are turning this man over to Mr. Edison for observation.

THE following is quoted from the Publications of the Astronomical Society o the Pacific

"The question whether Fraunhofer's lines reveal the presence of gold in the sun was being investigated. Kirchhoff's banker remarked on this occasion, 'What do I care for gold in the sun if I cannot fetch it down here?' Shortly afterwards Kirchhoff received from England a medal for his discovery and its value in gold. While handing it over to his banker he observed 'Look here, I have succeeded at last in fetching some gold from the sun.'"

THE Fourth Annual "Convention" (informal get-together) of the Telescope Nuts of America was held this year, on August 10, at the usual place, Stellafane, near the village of Springfield, Vermont. The attendance was 121, twice that of the previous year. The first of these get-togethers, held four years ago, brought out about 20 amateur telescope makers, but the number has doubled each year. Project the same rate of growth into the future and it will require only a little calculation to prove that everybody: on earth is certain soon to become a telescope maker.

People come to Stellafane from the entire east for the opportunity to meet other addicts of this form of sport. These gatherings, the next of which, it is hoped, you are already planning to attend in 1930, are held at the clubhouse observatory of the Telescope Makers of Springfield on top of Mount Porter, one of the offshoots of the famous Green Mountains of Vermont, and "far from the madding crowd.", People who want the comforts Of home stay at the hotel in the village, three miles distant; those who like to camp bring tents and pitch them near Stellafane; others to whom physical comfort has no meaning do not " put up" at all, they sit up all night to look at the stars and talk with other amateur astronomers, catching up on sleep later in their lives. And, apparently, a good time is had by all.

No fixed program of papers or other bothersome formality is allowed to spoil these meetings, the only fixed event being the "big feed," sometimes spoken of as dinner. This year the usual bean-hole beans (genuine bean hole, too) were supplemented by some 19 marine acres of baked clams B

Several enthusiasts brought their telescopes for all to see and admire, while still B more brought mirrors to be tested. These ranged from six inches in diameter up to twelve. To test the telescopes on the actual stars proved impossible this year because, for the first time since these conventions were begun, it rained. However') a better test of a mirror can be had on an artificial star than an actual one, and People attend to "talk shop," not to see stars.

Although it is nearly a year in advance, all you who are making or hope to make telescopes should pin up in the background of your mind a memorandum to attend the annual get-together to be held some time next summer. If the present rate of increase is maintained it may then be necessary to provide a circus tent for visitors' quarters. Certain it is that the amateur telescope hobby is waxing, not waning

The response to our " feeler" on the study of microscopic pond life justifies publication of further articles. This, we hope, will be done next spring, as the subject is not a winter one.–A.G.I., Tel. Ed.

The Society for Amateur Scientists (SAS) is a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to helping people enrich their lives by following their passion to take part in scientific adventures of all kinds.