FUEL FOR GAS TRACTORS 127 



has recently been estimated that in California it will take oil 

 companies one hundred years at the present rate simply to 

 open up the field, and new fields have just been discovered in 

 the Northwest. 



Canada produces about one fifth of the petroleum fuels 

 consumed in the Dominion. At the present time all grades of 

 gasoline, benzine, and naphtha are brought in free of duty, pro- 

 vided they are lighter than .730 specific gravity. This fuel 

 corresponds to about 63j B. All grades of crude oil heavier 

 than .8235, corresponding to about 40 B, enter free. Kero- 

 sene and light-coloured engine distillate must pay a duty of 

 2J cents per imperial gallon, which brings the price relatively 

 much nearer the price on gasoline than in the United States. 

 The imperial gallon used in Canada is one fifth larger than 

 the standard gallon of the United States. 



Petroleum fuels are commonly shipped to distributing points 

 in tank cars holding from 6000 to 8000 gallons. From these 

 points they may be distributed by means of tank wagons hold- 

 ing about 500 gallons, or in steel or wooden barrels of 42 gallons 

 each. In many localities wonderful tank wagon service brings 

 fuel to the farmer's door at, or very slightly above, the whole- 

 sale price. Most operators find it convenient and even nec- 

 essary to own tank wagons of their own, either for hauling 

 from the distributing point or for service while the engine 

 is at work in the field. The storage of gasoline or kerosene 

 on the farm previous to the opening of the season's work has 

 many advantages. A better price may often be obtained and 

 the work can be done more cheaply at odd times. 



In storing gasoline it must be remembered that the vapor 

 is given off very readily and is extremely difficult to confine. 

 Being heavier than air, it will spread out and flow along the 

 ground. In consequence, a light even at some distance may 

 ignite the gas and cause a flame to travel back to the place of 

 storage. Before this was understood and the necessary pre- 

 cautions taken this caused many accidents in the oil districts. 



