234 



Having now shown from the reports of Geologists, and partly from per- 

 sonal explorations, tte existence of extensive " coal measures" in the 

 State of Michigan, and of at least one available ^stratum of coal, I now 

 proceed to the next important inquiry, viz : 



THE QUALITY OF THE COAL. 



Some 14 tons of the coal were transported to this city, to he sub- 

 jected to all the tests for the various purposes for which bituminous coal 

 is generally used. 



Six tons were sent to Messrs. S. &E. B. Ward; another parcel of 6 

 torus was deposited in the yard of the Central Railroad depot; a load 

 was sent to Messrs. Dibble & Son, for their private gas works, and an- 

 other load for chemical experiment, to Dr. Adrian R. Terry. This lat- 

 ter gentleman, by means of the weight of his professional cares, has 

 not had time to make a satisfactory analysis of the coal. The follow- 

 ing letters and statements will show the result of the several tests: 



smith work. 



Detroit, Nov. 26, 1853. 



J. W. Brooks — Sir: — In pursuance of your instructions, I have 

 caused the relative value of the Blossburg and Michigan Coal for smith 

 work, to be tested. 



Two forges were supplied with coal by weight, and both were strictly 

 employed at the same kind of work, and during a trial of ten and a 

 half days. 



The result exhibits a consumption of 808 lbs. of Blossburg, and 1200 

 lbs. of Michigan coal, and shows a difference of about one-third in favor 

 of the Blossburg coal. The Michigan coal is free from sulphur, and if 

 its durability is improved to a par with the Blossburg, by a further pen- 

 etration into the mine, (that which we have used being alleged to be 

 sui-fac-e coal,) I see no leason why it should not be as valuable for 

 blacksmithing purposes as the Blossburg, with the exception that the 

 present quality of Michigan coal, by means of its brisk burning, emits 

 more smoke than the other, a fault which will doubtless cease to exist 

 when it improves in strength and durabihty. 



The trial of the relative value of the Blossburg and Michigan coal 

 was made as follows : 



