Coal, Oil, and Gas i6i 



rocks. The oil may be a few hundred feet below the sur- 

 face, or it may be a mile below. In the latter case it takes 

 months to drill the well. 



If a robber came and attempted to take by force the coal, 

 oil, and gas which we are daily losing through our careless- 

 ness and indifiference, even though he might put it to better 

 use than we put it, there would at once go up a great cry. 

 We would raise an army and fight for our property, and 

 perhaps suffer great loss in defending it. But, day by day, 

 without making any serious objection, we are letting these 

 natural resources go to waste. 



Perhaps in some far-distant future, after we have used 

 up the stores of fuel in the earth, we may discover some- 

 thing to take its place; but wise and thoughtful people 

 should make the most of what they have. 



