58 Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. 1, No. 4 



Outside of these two places an occasional strip is found that pro- 

 duces gas in paying quantities. Thus about one mile northeast of 

 Corning two wells were drilled, which combined produced 500,000 

 cubic feet per day. They produced three years and wei-e then aban- 

 doned. About two miles north of Corning a good well was drilled on 

 the Newberry fai-m. It started at 1,500,000 cubic feet per day, had an 

 initial rock pressure of 400 pounds and lasted three years. 



Another productive tract lies about 6 miles northeast of Corning 

 on the Finley, Devore and Stoneburner farms. Three wells were 

 drilled on tl^ Finley farm, and started one at 1,500,000 and two at 

 250,000 cwib*. ; feet, with an initial rock pressure of 400 pounds. These 

 wells lasted three years. 



The ope-rators of the wells have been much troubled with salt 

 water in th' Muddy Fork field and with oil in the Oakfleld territory. 

 Salt water ;. removed by " blowing" the wells. For this operation 

 the wells are closed for a short period, usually about 30 minutes, 

 allowing the gas pi'essure to increase; when this has become 

 sufficiently strong the well is opened at the toi^ and the gas then 

 blows the water from the well. When the well has been cleansed in 

 this manner it is closed and the gas turned back into the mains. 

 Sometimes, however, the weight of the water is so great that the 

 gas cannot drive it from the well in the manner just stated, 

 especially is this true with wells that have been in use for a con- 

 siderable period. Then an iron rod attached to a long pole is let 

 down through the water, is raised and lowered, and the gas follow- 

 ing the pole in its ascent finally drives the water from the well. 

 This method of cleaning is known as " agitating." Finally the 

 pressure of the gas becomes so small that it cannot lift the water 

 with the help of " agitating," and then the well is dead. In winter 

 time each well is cleaned every other day, and in the summer twice 

 a Week. 



The gas wells in the Corning field are owned and operated by the 

 Corning Natural Gas Company. It supplies Jacksonville, Trimble, 

 Glouster, Murray City, New Straitsville, Shawnee, Hemlock, Corn- 

 ing, Rendville, Moxahala, New Lexington, and several interior ham- 

 lets. Almost tlie sole use of the fuel is for heat and light. 



The company makes a rate of 20 cents per thousand feet by 

 meter. Where the meter is not used, the prices in winter are $2.00 

 per month for the first fire ; $1.50 for the second ; $1.00 for the third ; 

 75 cents for the fourth, and all additional fires at the latter figure. 

 In the summer a charge of $1.50 for each cooking fire is made. For 

 lights the charges are 25 cents each for the first two and 15 cents for 

 each additional one. 



The number of customers supplied by this company in 1900 was 

 approximately as follows : 



