i l;i»M « OOD AM) COAL. .{J 



cammoB purposes, from its greater durability, although, for 



these purposes, qq particular necessity exists that the pyrotig- 

 neous acid and tar should be perfectly expelled. From tin pre- 

 ceding experiment in sand, it occurred to me that an important 

 improvement might be made in the common process, by filling 

 the interstices between the sticks of wood with the culm oi 

 fine coal left on the ground after the large coal lias been drawn 

 from the pit. and by covering the wood more perfectly than 

 is usually done. In this waj we may more perfect h prevent 

 the access of the air. which is not only destructive in inan\ 

 eases to a large portion of the coal, hut also renders what re- 

 mains, less valuable. 



That my remarks on this subject may not be considered 

 entirely theoretical, it is proper to state, that an intelligt nt 

 collier in New Jersey applied in a partial manner the plan 

 proposed, and found the product to be about 1<) per cent. 

 more in quantity by measure, than he had ever before obtained 

 from the same kind and quantity of wood. and I found the coal 

 when brought to market nearly 20 per cent heavier than usual, 

 and as an evidence that the coal had been well charred, a cti 

 cumstance which is too often neglected, the hydrogen gas 

 appeared to have been almost entirely expelled, and it l"st verj 

 tittle in weight by exposing it to a red heat in powdered char 

 coal. 



The quality of this coal was considered by competent judge.* 

 to he superior to any other ever offered in this tnarki t. and 

 was as cleanly to handle as the anthracite coals, and sold readili 

 at an advanced price. 



From an examination made during tin last summer, of tin 

 common manner of piling and covering wood which is to tx 

 converted into charcoal, tin practice of piling it two and thret 

 tiers in height, appears to be objectionable for two reasons; ih< 

 firsl is. that He second and third tiers cannot !»■ so well d< 

 fended from tie air as the first, which rests upon tin- ground 

 this being a better harrier against the air, than tin form* r can 

 he made to present; and tin second is. that this disposition "i 

 the wood is not favourable for producing Hi'- ignition • < th< 



Whole mass at one and the satin linn , tin n-ual pnctta I" il 



other to commence tin- ignition in tin c< otn ol the upp rtiei 



* oi,. in. — r 



