No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 471 



A typical specimen of Connellsville coking coal, upon analysis, 

 showed : 



Moisture, 1.260 



Volatile matter, 30.107 ' 



Fixed carbon, 59.616 



Sulphur, 784 



Ash, '. 8.233 



Total, 100.000 



A very good grade of coke is made from the coals of the Potts- 

 ville series, in both the New Eiver and Pocahontas regions of West 

 Virginia. Analyses of these coals exhibit a higher percentage of 

 fixed carbon and lower percentages of moisture, volatile combustible 

 matter, sulphur and ash than the Connellsville coal. The deficiency 

 in volatile matter in these is detrimental, for the loss of carbon in 

 coking exceeds that of Connellsville by 12 per cent. 



Smithing Coal 

 The requirements for a good smithing coal are that: 



(1) It should possess a high heating power and to obtain this, the 

 percentage of fixed carbon should exceed 70 per cent. 



(2) It should contain at least 18 per cent, and not more than 22 

 per cent, volatile matter which is quite sufficient to make it 

 kindle readily and to supply the heat required for coking; it 

 should also possess sufficient coking qualities to form an arch 

 or vault over the forge. 



(3) It should not exceed 0.7 per cent, sulphur, since an excess of 

 sulphur prevents good welding. 



(4) The percentage of ash should not exceed 6 per cent. 



(5) The coke should be bright, clean silvery and have a metallic 

 ring when struck. 



With a coal possessing these i)i't>perties, there is but little waste 

 and, with such, a smith can concentrate the heat upon the iron to be 

 wrought and not have a great blazing fire, with most of the heat 

 escaping through the flue or chimney. When the sulphur exceeds one 

 per cent, a scum or greasy substance forms on the surface of the 

 iron, making a strong weld impossible, and it is otherwise detri- 

 mental. 



A coal that, among others, was recently tested for blacksmith's 

 use and which gave by far the greatest satisfaction showed upon 

 analysis: 



Moisture, 0.780 



'Volatile matter, 21.680 



Fixed carbon 73.052 



Sulphur, 0.688 



Ash, 3.800 



Total 100.000 



