400 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER, 



Jl'NE 19, 1839. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



[From the Pictou Mechanic and Farmer. f 



THE ALBION MINES AT PICTOU, AND 



THE COAL TRADE. 



From the parlor window an advantageous view 

 of the Mines may be enjoyed. From here may be 

 seen half a dozen large chimnies, issuing columns 

 of dark smoke. These are connected with the 

 steam engines of foundry and coal works. One 

 of the chimnies, used for the purpose of ventila- 

 tion, is over 140 feet in height, and is a hand- 

 some structure. The pits are eight in number, one 

 of them over GO fathoms deep ; and one of the en- 

 gines is 70 horse power. 



To the left, and in the rear of the inn, are tlie 

 miner's houses. Their number is astonishing, and 

 is probably not less than 250, over 100 of which 

 were erected last year, and have a neat and pleas- 

 ing appearance. In returning from the inn, nearly 

 opposite to the office stands a small high-pressure 

 engine of 10 or 12 horse power— the only one at 

 the works. Farther on, in rear of the store, stands 

 another engine of 28 horse power. These two 



engines are attached to the first set of pits into 



One of which we descended, and enjoyed a ride for 

 near half a mile on a subterranean railroad. 



Passing along further you come to the stables, 

 whicli, though a shabby set of buildings, contain 

 the finest and largest stud of horses in the province ; 

 and in the lower regions there are upwards of 50 

 more of equal beauty and strength. These horses 

 have been selected from all parts of the Province, 

 and many of them are the descendants of the 

 Sampson liorse. 'I hoy are certainly fine animals, 

 and their round and glossy appearance do great 

 credit to their keepers. Farther on, stands' the 

 carpenters' shops and lumber yard, enclosed by a 

 neat board fence. To your left, crossing the old 

 railroad, are the new range of pits sunk during the last 

 year. Four of the newly opened pits are for drawing 

 coal, and the other two for the purpose of ventila- 

 ting the works. The deepest of the two latter 

 (450 feet) is called the engine pit, where the pumps 

 and machinery for drawing the water from the mines 

 are erected. The two winding engines, 25 horse 

 power each, made at the "Albion Foundry," are 

 erected ; the pumping engine, 70 horse power, is 

 erected, and the pumps are being put in will be 

 completed about the first of June. The house 

 containing this engine is a handsome stone build- 

 in'g. We are inforiued that when completed, this 

 new work will employ about 150 colliers, in addi- 

 tion to the immense number now employed on the 

 premises. There are now from 5000 to tiOOO chal- 

 drons of coal raised per month. 



To your right, on the opposite side of the road, 

 are the coke and coal-tar ovens. A little farther 

 onward, stands enclosed the foundry and its appen- 

 dages, under the management of Mr H. VV. Davis. 

 This is also a large brick building, containing a 

 steam engine of 20 horse power, and ample mould- 

 ing, pattern and finishing rooms, &c. There is 

 also a saw mill propelled by steam power, in con- 

 stant operation on the premises. Three of the en- 

 gines now in operation at Mines, were constructed 

 at this foundry, the beam of one of which is over 

 30 feet long, and of 5 tons weight. Castings of 

 every description can be supplied at the foundry, and 

 the fact that the engines constructed there appear 

 equal if not superior to others connected with the 



works, add no little to the confidence that may be | informed that number will be doubled this seasoa 

 placed in Mr Davis, as an experienced engineer. There are three locomotive engines on their way 

 Before leaving the mines, the traveller must visit k''°'" England for the railroad, which, when they 

 a spot on the river, a little above the store, where ^^'^"'■'^ ^>'ith those already at the works, will amount 

 fire may be seen burning on the surface of the wa- '•° ^''^ number of twelve steam engines, to be in 

 tor — caused by carburetted hydrogen gas arising °P^''^''°" •^"""S the course of the summer. j 



from the bed of the river — passfng through the ^^ '^ "" undeniable principle, tliat the best en<| 

 water, and escaping in bubbles on its surface. On | couragement that can be given to agriculture andi 



applying alighted candle or a piece of paper to 

 the gas, it will ignite, and continue burning for 

 weeks. Over it may frequently be seen a pot boil- 

 ing on the water, the river frequently on fire, while 

 some of the finny tribe may frequently be seen gli- 

 ding through the water below the tiames. Persons 

 in the vicinity avail themselves of this burning gas, 

 in heating water for washing. 



Proceeding down the railroad about 2 1-2 miles, 

 and about 1-4 of a mile below the bridge at New 

 Glasgow, stand the shipping wharves, shoots, &o. 

 Here the old railroad terminates — here the coal 

 brought down from the mines in wagons of one 

 chaldron each (one horse bringing four or five) are 

 loaded into lighters, or vessels not exceeding eight 

 feet draft of water. It was the intention of the 

 company to have removed some banks in the river, 

 so as to bring up twenty feet of water to this place ; 

 but we are sorry to say that after constructing a 

 drudging boat, mud lighters, &c. they abandoned 

 this part of their plan, in consequence of opposi- 

 tion e.xperienced, we are informed, from persons in 

 New Glasgow, who we certainly think have defeat- 

 ed their own interest. Here are constantly in em- 

 ploy two steamboats of 30 horse power each, en 

 gaged principally in towing coal lighters and ves 

 sels with their freight up and down the river — and 

 in one of which a passage down the river may be 

 obtained for a trifle. About two miles further 

 down, on the opposite side of the river, may be 

 seen the ship yard of the establishment. Here 

 are slips for hauling up the steamboats and lighters ; 

 where during the winter, there were three steam- 

 boats and thirty lighters of various sizes, som.e of 

 carrying 40 chaldrons of coal, all placed side by 

 side and far from ice and water. As you proceed 

 down the river, the attention is attracted by the ex- 

 cavations, embankments, bridges, «Sic. of the new 

 locomotive railroad. 



About three miles down from the shipyard, is 

 South Pictou, where may be seen the largest bridge 

 and range of wharves in Nova Scotia. The wharves 

 are situated on the bank of the channel, and are 

 GOO feet in length. On these are the conveniencies 

 for loading vessels engaged in the coal trade, em- 

 bracing a steam engine of 18 horse power, called a 

 "transfer engine." It was erected last autumn, 

 and adds materially to the previous facilities in 

 shipping. The coal is placed in boxes containing 

 two chaldrons each ; the engine raises the box with 

 its contents and places it over the vessel's hatch- 

 way, when a crap-door in its bottom is opened and 

 the whole speedily transferred into the ship's hold. 

 Sixty chaldrons can thus be transferred with safety 

 and ease in an hour's time. Here the new railroad 

 is to terminate, being about six miles in length, and 

 connected with the wharves by a bridge IGOU feet in 

 length, built on piles and raised about 20 feet above 

 high water mark. It is in a very forward state, and 

 probably will be completed in three months. Du- 

 ring the last summer, from 25 to 35 sail of Amer- 

 ican vessels might frequently be seen here at a 

 time. Over 300 sail of vessels of various descriptions 

 were loaded here last year ; and if we are not mis- 



industry is to increase the consumption of the pro- 

 duce of one, and extend the demand for the other. 

 Applying this to the mines under review, it will be 

 found that nothing contributes so directly to enrich 

 this section of the province. Property in their vicini- 

 ty has increased in value in many places over 100 per 

 cent. ; and we are informed that a farm — poor land, 

 too — which a few years since could have been 

 purchased for £250 or £300, will not now be parted 

 with for £700. Still there are persons who say 

 that the mines are of no advantage in the hands of 

 this company. We believe it not. Where could 

 the capital be found on this side the Atlantic here 

 invested ? or if procured who would invest it ? 



BONE MANURE. 



The subscriber informs his friends and Ihe public, that 

 alter ten years experience, he is fully convinced that ground 

 hones form the most powerful slimulant that can be appli«d 

 to ihe earth as a manure. 



He keeps constantly on hand a supply of Ground Bone 

 and solicits the patronage oC the agricultural community. 

 Pr.'ce at the Mill 35 cents per hushcl ; put up in casks and de- 

 livered at any part of the city at 40 cents per bushel, and no 

 charge for casks or carting. 



Also, ground Oyster Shells. 



Orders left at the Bone Mill, near Tremont road in Roi- 

 hury, at the New England Agricultural Warehouse and 

 Seed Store, No. 52 North Market Street, or through the Post 

 Office will receive prompt attention. 



March 27. NAHUM WARD. 



FOR NEW YORK. 



Cabin Fare $3 00 — Deck Fare $1 50. 



The Steamer JOHN W. RICHMOND, Capt. Wm. H 

 Tnwnsend, will leave Provi,ienco on MONDAYS and 

 THURSDAYS, at 4 o'clock, P M. 



35" Cars to meet the boat will leave Boston at half past 

 2 o'clock, P. M. 



Mondays and Thursdam, will be her regular days of leav- 

 ing Providence, until fuiner notice. 



For further information, apply to S. Q. Cockean, 30 Con- 

 gress Street, Boston. 



N. B. Freight taken at 6 cents per cubic foot. 



June 6. 



BRUSSA MII1.IIERRY. 



A fresh lot of genuine Brussa Mulberry Seed just received 

 at the New Enaland Agricultural Warehouse and Seed Store, 

 Nos. 51 and .52 North Miirket Street This species of Mul- 

 berry flourishes hest in high and even poor lands, and is 

 more likely to endure the rigors of our severe winetrs and 

 not so subject to the effect of the frost, as trees brought from 

 more southern latitudes, or warmer climes. 



The leaves of the Morns alba of Brussa, are said to con- 

 tain a much greater quantity of saccharine matter, than any 

 other of the white species, and moreover, the leaf is much 

 larger than those of Italy and Spain ; it is also a hardy tree, 

 susceptible of being raised in climates, where the frosts are 



At the annual fair of the .American Institute, at New 

 York, in October last, specimens of the leaves of the Brussa 

 tree, of difl^erent yeats' growth, were exhibited, and exciled 

 universal approbation, and the Institute awarded a silver 

 niedal for the introduction of this invaluable tre-e, observing 

 in the report of the committee, " that these with every new 

 and useful plant, calculated to withstand the rigors of our 

 climate, are worthy of attention, and those introducing them 

 into our country, deserve to be placed on thu catalogue of 

 our country's beuefacfcrs." 

 May 22. 



THE NEW ENGLA^'D PARlMtER 



Is puliiished every Wednesday Evening, at US per annum 

 payable at the end of the year— but those who pay within 

 siitydays from the time of subscribing are entitled to a de- 

 duclionof 5ti cents. 



TUTTLZ, DENNETT AND CBtSHOLM, PRIWTEBS, 



n SCHOOL STRIKT B0S1X)M 



