58 
Ohio Naturalist. 
[Vol. 1, No. 4 
Outside of these two places an occasional strip is found that pro- 
duces gas in paying quantities. Thus about one mile northeast of 
Corning two wells were drilled, which combined produced 500,000 
cubic feet per day. They produced three years and were then aban- 
doned. About two miles north of Corning a good well was drilled on 
the Newberry farm. It started at 1,500,000 cubic feet per day, had an 
initial rock pressure of 400 pounds and lasted three years. 
Another productive tract lies about 6 miles northeast of Corning 
on the Finley, Devore and Stoneburner farms. Three wells were 
drilled on the Finley farm, and started one at 1,500,000 and two at 
250,000 cubic feet, with an initial rock pressure of 400 pounds. These 
wells lasted three years. 
The operators of the wells have been much troubled with salt 
water in the Muddy Fork field and with oil in the Oakfield territory. 
Salt water is removed by “ blowing ” the wells. For this operation 
the wells are closed for a short period, usually about 30 minutes, 
allowing the gas pressure to increase; when this has become 
sufficiently strong the well is opened at the top and the gas then 
blows the water from the well. When the well has been cleansed in 
this manner it is closed and the gas turned back into the mains. 
Sometimes, however, the weight of the water is so great that the 
gas cannot drive it from the well in the manner just stated, 
especially is this true with wells that have been in use for a con- 
siderable period. Then an iron rod attached to a long pole is let 
down through the water, is raised and lowered, and the gas follow- 
ing the pole in its ascent finally drives the water from the well. 
This method of cleaniug is known as “ agitating.” Finally the 
pressure of the gas becomes so small that it cannot lift the water 
with the help of “ agitatiug,” and then the well is dead. In winter 
time each well is cleaned every other day, and in the summer twice 
a week. 
The gas wells in the Corning field are owned and operated by the 
Corning Natural Gas Company. It supplies Jacksonville, Trimble, 
Glouster, Murray City, New Straitsville, Shawnee, Hemlock, Corn- 
ing, Rendville, Moxahala, New Lexington, and several interior ham- 
lets. Almost the sole use of the fuel is for heat and light. 
The company makes a rate of 2U cents per thousand feet by 
meter. Where the meter is not used, the prices in winter are $2.00 
per month for the first fire; $1.50 for the second; $1.00 for the third; 
75 cents for the fourth, and all additional fires at the latter figure. 
In the summer a charge of $1.50 for each cooking fire is made. For 
lights the charges are 25 cents each for the first two and 15 cents for 
each additional one. 
The number of customers supplied by this company in 1900 was 
approximately as follows: 
