V.—New Minera Discoveries IN Nova Scotra.—By EpwIn 
Gipeinyedr,.. “A. MS) dan DE EAR. S! CS Inspector of 
Mines, Halifax, N. S. 
(Read 13th March, 1899.) 
The early operations in mining, metallurgy, engineering, etc., 
were much more simple than those of the present day. They 
were based of course upon the same general principles that 
underlie them to-day. The difference, however, in exactness and 
precision have permitted of vastly greater and cheaper pro- 
ductions. In smelting iron ore, for instance, the composition, 
weight, and relative proportions of the fluxes, fuels, and ores, are 
calculated to a nicety, so that the analysis and composition of 
the resulting pig iron can be safely predicted. The direct out- 
come of the application of exactness is the opportunity for 
increasing and cheapening productions. The day of the rule of 
thumb has passed in iron making as well as in other metallur- 
gical processes. 
In this Province we are to some extent interested in iron 
ore, but at present the adaptability of our coals for coke making 
is asubject of much enquiry. For many years coal was made 
into coke by burning off its volatile ingredients in round ovens, 
resembling bee hives, with more or less admission of air. The 
matter driven off somewhat resembled in composition the gas 
made in gas works, and contained a large amount of combus- 
tible matter. The illuminating gas made in gas works was 
produced from retorts into which no air was admitted during 
the operation of heating. The problem was the production of 
coke in ovens, on a large scale, equal to that used in the blast 
furnace, and at the same time to secure the largest amount of gas, 
or volatile matter, from the coking coal, with as little deteriora- 
tion as possible from the admission of the nitrogen bearing 
atmosphere. 
(79) 
