K. DOMESTIC AND HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY. 471 



expectations of financial success appear to be entertained. 

 The apparatus for the purpose consists of three iron gas-re- 

 torts, set in a furnace one above the other. Above the re- 

 torts, and lieated to redness by the same fire, is a horizontal 

 U-shaped iron pipe about four inches in diameter. The re- 

 torts are charged with a mixture of coke and iron, and steam 

 from an ordinary pipe is then forced through the iron pipe, 

 Avhich; it is obvious, acts as a superheater. The superheated 

 steam passes into the two lower retorts, being carried by 

 pipes arranged in their axes at the farther end, and then re- 

 turns through the mass of heated coke and iron. Passing 

 through the third retort in the same way a large amount of 

 gas is generated, which is cooled in a temporary condenser, 

 and then carried to a gas-holder, and afterward purified in the 

 usual manner. 



The gas thus obtained is a mixture of hydrogen, carbonic 

 oxide, and carbonic acid. To impart an illuminating power 

 to it, the gas is passed through a chamber containing rectified 

 petroleum spirit of a specific gravity of 0.68. By this process 

 a considerable quantity of the Spirit is taken up, and the vol- 

 ume of the gas is increased by about 25 per cent. It then 

 burns with a brilliant flame, and is ready for distribution. 



Although the various details of this process appear to pre- 

 sent nothing new, their combination is one that has received 

 the indorsement of a patent. The most serious question ap- 

 pears to be how far the illuminating power of the gas Avill 

 stand the test of cold. The vapor introduced is, after all, a 

 vapor, and, as such, capable of more or less condensation. 

 Whether this will occur in cold weather, and, if so, to such 

 an extent as to impair the value of the gas, is a question for 

 inquiry. It is stated that the gas has been subjected to ex- 

 treme cold without injuring its quality; but this will be de- 

 termined, of course, whenever the matter comes to a practical 

 experiment. 



One objection urged against the gas produced by the new 

 process lies in the large amount of carbonic oxide which it 

 contains. This, as is well known, is a deadly poison, and one 

 which, from its specific gravity, tends to settle permanently 

 in closed spaces instead of passing oflT into the atmosphere. 

 When burned, it is, of course, converted into the more harm- 

 less carbonic acid, and in this form may not be objectionable, 



