NEW MINERAL DISCOVERIES IN NOVA SCOTIA. GILPIN. 89 



Coal. 



In 1897 I gave some analyses of the coal from the lower 

 levels of the Springhill seams, and compared them with earlier 

 analyses of the coal from parts of the seams nearer the outcrops. 

 The analyses show that as the coals have been followed down 

 they have increased in their percentage of fixed carbon, and 

 consequently in their steam-raising qualities. This is borne out 

 by the result-of analyses made since that date. The average of 

 a number giving the composition of Springhill coal at present is 

 as follows : 



Moisture 2.05 



Volatile combustible matter 30.21 



Fixed Carbon 63.52 



Ash . 4.?2 



100.00 



During the past year a tunnel has been started in the lower 

 workings of the underlying seam to cut some lower beds of coal 

 known to exist some distance to the dip. It has already cut one 

 seam holding about 4| feet of coal, which gives the following 

 analysis : 



Moisture 3.00 



Volatile matter 31.30 



Fixed Carbon 62.50 



Ash . 3.20 



100.00 

 Sulphur 1.19 



The question of the adaptability of the coals of the Dominion 

 Coal Company for iron ore smelting has been a matter of much 

 interest for some time. The principal seam worked by this 

 company is the Phelan. At its outcrop the sulphur average per 

 cent was about 2.5. This would of course be a prejudicial 

 amount in coals destined for blast furnace purposes. It is 

 satisfactory to learn that as the workings in this seam are 

 extended to the dip the percentage of sulphur has materially 



