468 » Peat. [October, 



to the 15th of August, 4500 kilogrammes (about 10 cubic 

 metres). The machine was kept running for six hours per 

 diem, consuming 50 kilogrammes per hour. With coal fuel 

 the same engine running six hours per diem consumed 

 30 kilogrammes per hour. The peat gave a lively and clear 

 flame, equal to that of coal, and it emitted no bad smell ; 

 the 4500 kilogrammes gave 7 kilogrammes of cinder and 

 very little ash. 



Locomotive Engine. — The same peat as fuel in locomotives, 

 from the 15th to the 30th November, was tested to the 

 amount of 4500 kilogrammes, or 10 cubic metres. Engines 

 in reserve consumed 30 kilogrammes per hour while standing 

 still, and 20 kilogrammes per kilometre when drawing goods 

 trains. Similar engines burning coal fuel consumed 20 kilo- 

 grammes per hour, and 15 kilogrammes per kilometre, under 

 similar circumstances respectively. 



From these experiments it would appear that peat fuel is 

 equal to two-thirds of the value of coal, and this is the 

 standard of value which is most generally given to it ; but 

 much necessarily depends upon the purity of the peat 

 itself, and upon the method in which it has been dried and 

 prepared. 



On the Bavarian State railways, it is stated that one 

 cubic foot of ordinary air-dried turf, of rather a light 

 description, and weighing from 16 to 18 lbs., as used there 

 in the locomotive, is considered to be equal in heating power 

 to about 13 lbs. of compressed turf, or 13 lbs. of lignite, or 

 7s- lbs. of coal. 



Last year, owing to the exertions of Mr. Alderman 

 Purdon, of Dublin, a Commission was organised " for the 

 purpose of investigating, in the public interests, by personal 

 examination in the fullest manner, such of the best modern 

 systems of preparing improved fuel from peat as are now to 

 be found elsewhere." The report of this Commission was 

 presented in January last, in which, with reference to the 

 economic value of peat as compared with coal, they remark 

 very justly that " various estimates have been put forward 

 of the relative heating powers of coal and turf— their com- 

 parative values as fuel — some rating peat as less than half 

 the value of coal (weight for weight), others at two-thirds. 

 These estimates may, in different cases, be true, for the 

 value of peat is very variable, depending on its quality, 

 density, and dryness ; and in the combination of these, no 

 two samples may be found identical." 



Peat, as it is cut from the bog, contains from 70 to 90 per 

 cent of water. Air-dried turf usually contains from 18 to 



