t 



20 



)ne of the chief difficulties in the extensive work- 

 ing of peat, arises from the obstinacy with which 

 it retains a great amount of water. A large propor- 

 tion of this must be removed by spontaneous drying, 

 a process to which the summer climate of Canada is 

 peculiarly favourable. According to Dr. B. H. Paul's 

 late inquiries, it appears, that the heat-producing 

 power of good peat is about one half that of the 

 weight of coal. It is claimed that by proper treat- 

 ment peat can be brought to the same density as 

 coal itself ; and Dr. Paul concludes that where such 

 peat can be furnished at four shillings sterling the 

 ton, it may advantageously replace coal at ten shil- 

 lings, as a fuel for generating steam, burning bricks, 

 etc. The price of coal in our markets is more than 

 twice this, and it remains to be seen whether properly 

 dried and compressed peat can be produced at two 

 fifths the market price of coal ; in which case it may 

 replace it with advantage on our inland steamers 

 and railways, as well as for household use. It is said 

 to have lately been employed with success as a fuel 

 for the locomotives on the New York Central Rail- 

 way, and it is well known that peat is now largely 

 employed for smelting iron in some parts of Ger- 

 many. Viewed in the light of the foregoing conside- 

 rations it can scarcely be doubted that the extensive 

 deposits of peat which Canada contains are destined 

 soon to become very important resources for the 

 province. 



BUILDING MATERIALS, 



Among the materials of first importance to a 

 country are those required for the purposes of build- 

 ing. Of these, besides the wood of the forests, may 

 be mentioned clay for bricks, lime for mortar and 

 cements, granites, sandstones, limestones^ marbles, 



