338 THE CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM. 



the reputation of Pictou coal in the gas-works will increase, I may 

 mention here that the value of Pictou coal for this purpose, as well as 

 for family and steam uses, depends in part on the good quality of its 

 coke, and in part on its comparative freedom from sulphur. These 

 excellent qualities, in connexion with its great heating power, more 

 than compensate for its large percentage of ash as compared with 

 some other coals. 



(2.) Acadia Coal Company (Fig. 135 — 2, 4). 



The principal area worked by this Company lies immediately to the 

 north of that of the General Mining Association, or toward the rise of 

 the beds. Its chief value therefore depends on the lower seams of 

 O coal, and more especially those known as the M'Gregor and oil coals.* 

 The M'Gregor seam is that from which the greater part of the coal of 

 this Company is extracted. It is worked by "slopes" or galleries 

 Q extending downward from the outcrop, and up which the coal is drawn 

 on rails. 



The M'Gregor seam is stated by Mr Hoyt,f the general agent of the 

 Company, to be 12 feet in thickness, as follows : — 



Coal (first bench) ...... 



Shaly band ...... 



Coal (second bench) ..... 



Coal (coarse) ...... 



Shale ....... 



Coal (good) ....... 



12 



At present only the two upper benches, or six feet in all, are worked, 

 and the coal obtained from these is of very good quality, containing 

 on the average, according to an analysis obtained from Mr J. D. B. 

 Fraser of Pictou, the former proprietor of the mine, only about 8 per 

 cent, of ashes. The thickness of the coal is stated to increase in 

 working to the westward, and to diminish to the eastward ; and it is 

 somewhat remarkable that its quality improves with its thickness. 

 According to the report above cited, the quality and reputation of 

 this coal will depend much on the care taken to separate the material 

 of the " shaly band " from the good coal, as the presence of this 

 material greatly increases the amount of ash, and deteriorates the 

 coke, though it does not seem materially to affect the yield of gas, 

 which amounts to the large return of 9500 feet from a ton of 2240 lbs. 



* For position of these coals, see section ante. f Report, 1866. 



