FIRE GRATES.--G.W. Everhart, Louisville, Ky.--This invention relates to improvements in that class of fire grates used for heating rooms, and consists in so arranging them as to provide a clear air space between the basket and the walls of the fire-place, both at the back and ends, for the admission of air more directly at these parts, for the better combustion of the coal and the gases arising therefrom; it also consists in providing a recess in the hearth or bottom of the fire-place under the grate, for the reception of ash pans of greater capacity than can be contained on the top of the hearth, whereby a much larger quantity of cinders and ashes may be received and retained, so that less frequent removals of the same will be required. APPARATUS FOR SEWING SADDLERY AND OTHER LEATHER, OR STRONG MATERIALS.--Auguste Jacques Hurtu and Victor Joseph Hautin, Paris France.--This invention relates to apparatus more especially applicable for sewing leather, saddlery, harness, and other similar work with waxed thread, and consists first, in the improved apparatus of this invention, two needles are employed, the one sewing as an awl, and the other carrying the thread; the two needles have at the same time a vertical movement and also an adjustable horizontal movement. The needles are operated alternately, so that the needle may pass the thread through the hole made just previously by the awl, before the leather has been moved forward. By this means the sewing may be carried on with great regularity, and the material be turned in any direction in order to execute small designs. Secondly, the invention relates to improvements in the arrangement of the shuttle, whereby it is caused to pass through the loops formed by the waxed thread without touching it. PACKING AND ATOMIZING CAN.--F.L. Palmer, Sr., New York city.--This invention relates to improvements in cans for packing insect powder and other like finely powdered substances which, in use, require to be delivered in atomic jets for penetrating crevices where insects secrete themselves, and it consists in providing such cans with stoppers having nozzles, through which stoppers or nozzles the passages are temporarily closed in a way to be readily opened for use; also, in providing the cans with nozzles at or near the bottom temporarily plugged in which tubes may be connected so that the powder may, when required for use, be readily blown out in atomic jets, whereby the said cans are made to subserve the uses of packing cans and discharging atomizing cans, with but trifling additional expense, whereas, at the present time, users of such powders are compelled to buy expensive atomizing cans, to which the powder must be transferred from the packing cans, before it can be properly used, or in the absence of such cans the powder is scattered in an ineffectual and wasteful way in or about the resorts of the insects.