THE THRONE OF KING COAL 37 



and to a limited extent in brick, tile, salt and wool 

 manufacture. The sawmills utilize a very large 

 quantity of their own mill waste as fuel, but chiefly 

 because in many cases this represents the most 

 economical method of disposal. Small quantities of 

 cord wood are burned in the fireplaces of cities, 

 towns and rural communities, but the real fuel-wood 

 users are the farmers who are located too far away 

 from the coal distributors for convenient and cheap 

 delivery. 



What the future will show in regard to the con- 

 tinuance of our coal supply is impossible to predict, 

 but it is doubtful whether coal will ever have to 

 yield its place of prominence to wood. The creation 

 of great central power distributing units, such as 

 has been suggested for the entire northeastern sec- 

 tion of our country, will mean a great saving in the 

 use of coal for industrial purposes and free large 

 quantities for home use. Undoubtedly, it will also 

 mean a general cheapening of electric power and 

 extend the use of electricity for private purposes. 

 Developments of this nature will permit the fur- 

 nishing of electric light and heat to rural communi- 

 ties which have not hitherto enjoyed it, and wood 

 fuel will thus be driven from its last important 

 stronghold. 



Why do we buy coal in preference to wood for 



