CHAPTER XXIX. 



GAS FOR ESTATE PURPOSES. 



GAS is made by coal being subjected to a strong heat in close cast- 

 iron retorts, winch separates the gas from the other constituent parts 

 of the coal. The apparatus for this purpose consists of four different 

 parts : first, the retorts, made of cast iron, in which the coal is heated ; 

 then the condensers, which condense the solid and liquid parts, where 

 the tar is deposited ; and next, the purifier, where the gas, in passing 

 through lime and water, is cleansed from several ingredients which, if 

 retained, would make it. unfit for use. The gas then passes from the 

 purifier to the gasometer, where it is held and stored for use, and in con- 

 nection with which the piping is applied to convey it to buildings, &c. 



Where coal is expensive, apparatus has been made for the purpose 

 of extracting gas from wood and peat. There is also a quantity of gas 

 in bones and oil, but it becomes expensive to produce gas from either 

 of these substances. Where coal can be got at a fair price, it will be 

 found to be the best material from which to extract gas. 



Gas is, without doubt, the best light which we at present possess ; 

 and many landed proprietors and farmers would be glad if they could 

 manufacture it on a small scale for their premises. Hitherto the great 

 drawback in using it for estate purposes has been the heavy cost in the 

 first outlay. Messrs Porter & Co., engineers, Lincoln, make a small gas- 

 apparatus suitable for this purpose, although the expenditure is still too 

 heavy to admit of its being generally used. The apparatus is of two 

 kinds the largest size being fixed permanently, while the smaller and 

 least expensive is portable. A small gas-apparatus for a farmhouse and 

 steading may be purchased for about 50. 



For the supply of light to a village a much larger apparatus will be 

 required, and the cost of such is regulated by the number of lights, and 

 whether these lights are within a short distance of each other or are 

 spread over a large surface. If the houses are far distant from each 

 other, a long extent of main pipes will be required, and consequently a 

 greater outlay. An idea of the expense of a village gas-apparatus may 



