2^0 
[Assembly 
more considerations than one. A due proportion of wood-land to that 
under tillage, adds greatly to the beauty of any district of country; but 
above all, the preservation of timber lands is becoming a matter of great 
moment, and calls for legislative aid and encouragement. 
Again, since the above was written, I have been informed by an in- 
telligent gentleman, that peat, as a fuel for steam engines, has been 
proved by actual experiment of great value. To impart to it the power 
of emitting during combustion a lively flame, a small quantity of tar is 
mixed with it, which of course creates a larger volume of flame, which 
is a matter of considerable moment when employed in generating steam . 
The experiments referred to were made on board of the Great Western 
during her last passage, and such was the result that a large amount of 
peat was taken on board for her homeward passage. The introduction 
of pressing machines, both for the expulsion of water and diminishing 
the bulk by compression, will be important to all who engage in rais- 
ing peat. . , , 
I see no reason for extending my remarks on th^ value of this sub- 
stance. I shall, therefore, state only one more application of this ma- 
terial, viz. as a substitute for charcoal in the reduction of iron. The 
coal which is formed from it is equal to any coal; hence, it may become 
of great importance in those sections of country where fuel is scarce, 
or as it furnishes a resource in this important business, when the ordi- 
nary means are expended. We have, therefore, in this homely sub- 
stance an invaluable article, of which prejudice alone can prevent a ge- 
neral use. 
Black Lead. Gra'phite. 
There are several places where this useful substance is found. The 
most important are situated in Ticonderoga, Crown-Point, East Moriah 
and Johnsburgh. The graphite of Ticonderaga is well known in mar- 
ket, and has been explored to a greater extent than any other locality 
in the State. The proprietor of the mine has usually raised it in the 
autumn in sufficient quantities to meet the demands for it during the 
next season. The working of the mine is in the rudest manner. As 
the mineral is in a vein varying in width from 2 or 3 inches to 12 or 
15, it was necessary after the surface portion was removed to break 
away the adjacent rock. This has hitherto been accomplished by heat- 
ing the sides of the vein and then suddenly cooling them ; in this way 
exfoliation and cracks are produced, and an opportunity furnished to a 
limited extent of removing portions of the rock adjacent to the graphite. 
