CARBONIFEROUS OF CAPE BRETON—GILPIN. Dy 
Pictou coals, and should prove practically a good domestic and 
gas coal. 
He also gives the following analysis of the eleven-feet seam 
found at Sea Coal Bay :— 
Wolatilie matver, ovovun aoe es ook eee Pek 95.2 
cea WOM tetshs Aoki cht a eee fa shane eras 44.7 
JS RG AL CO AS heat ar Men She ants ice eA aE ba ae Na oe 30.1 
100.0 
The amount of ash given in this analysis would make the coal 
of little use for ordinary purposes. I am informed, however, by 
parties interested, that it by no means yields this large percent- 
age of ash, and that the other seams are apparently of excellent 
quality. These beds are very well situated, as the harbor remains 
open all winter, and they will no doubt be re-opened whenever 
the conditions of the coal trade hold out more promising induce- 
ments to the miner. I have no analysis of the coal found at the 
head waters of the Inhabitants river. 
From the analysis I have given it will be seen that the island 
of Cape Breton furnishes Coals adapted for every purpose. They 
are largely used for steam raising in locomotive and marine 
boilers, and as their qualities become better known they will be 
a favorite railway fuel. For gas making and domestic purposes 
they have established a good reputation. In connection with the 
various schemes mooted for iron and copper smelting in Cape 
Breton it is encouraging to note that practical tests have shown 
that an excellent coke can be made from them. At present the 
low price obtainable for coal, and the presence of large mines in 
the eastern district, will operate against developments in other 
parts of the Island. But it is to be hoped that the discovery of 
metallic deposits in the districts surrounding the western and 
southern coal beds may lead to the erection of works drawing 
their fuel from local sources, and the projected railway from the 
line of the Sydney and Hawkesbury Railway to Broad Cove will 
give this part of the island an outlet to good shipping ports. 
