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coal comjiany. As the works approached completion, and as the 

 great value of the Breckinridge coal for oil purjjoses became more 

 thoroughly established, it was thought to be the best policy for 

 both parties to consolid-ite the coal and oil companies, which was 

 accordingly done. Extensive fire-proof w®rks have been erected 

 at an expenditure of $60,000, capable of containing thirty retorts, 

 with the necessary tanks, stills, &c., for refining the crude oil. 

 Of these, twelve retorts have been in operation some months, and 

 the remaining eighteen are ready. The operations of the company 

 have been very much embarrassed by the unusually low stage of 

 water in the Ohio river, which, by entirely suspending navigation? 

 has detained the additional stills of the company at Louisville, 

 and prevented the shipments of oil. The company have now on 

 hand 45,000 gallons crude oil and 5,000 gallons of refined, and 

 are manufacturing at the rate of 6,000 gallons per week. The 

 accumulation of crude oil is occasioned by the want of the stills, 

 detained at Louisville by low water. When these stills arrive, and 

 the remaining eighteen retorts are brought into use, the product of 

 the company will be 15,000 gallons, crude or 13,000 gallons refined 

 oil per week. This would give 780,000 gallons or 19,500 barrels 

 per annum. The substances obtained by the distillation of each ton 

 of this coal are, burning and lubricating oils, benzole, naptha, para- 

 fine and a residuum of asphaltum. The coke left after the operation, 

 is used for fuel under the retorts and stills, and is ample for that pur- 

 pose. Every ton of coal produces 90 gallons of crude, or 70 gallons 

 of refined oil. The burning oil is used in lamps for illuminating 

 purposes. Its merits are cheapness, brilliancy and entire absence 

 of danger of explosion,- which makes the use of camphene so hazar- 

 dous. Its illuminating power and duration of combustion are 

 equal to the best sperm, while it costs only half as much. The 

 lubricating product has been tested upon machinery and found to 

 be equal to sperm for that purpose. As it can be sold at about 

 one-half the price, the saving to railroads, machine shops, &c., 

 must be very great. The benzole is used for the manufacture of 

 gas in portable gas machines. These are much used in isolated 

 buildings and in the country where gas companies are not yet an 



