Iron . 
3S 
Charcoal of wood r being almost the only fuel used for 
iron works or by blacksmiths in this country, the pro- 
cess of charring the wood is well known : but the follow- 
ing observations of Mr. Musliet, are worth attention. 
Charred wood is almost universally used throughout 
the Continent, as fuel for the production of cast-iron. 
From its great abundance in the northern countries, the 
discovery of pit-coal would be deemed of little advantage 
for many years to corned The extensive woods in Sibe- 
ria and Sweden afford a constant supply of fuel to the 
numerous iron works in those countries. The necessary 
regulations which the respective governments of each 
country have thought proper to enact, will in all probabi- 
lity preserve, during their existence, the necessary supply 
of fuel for the manufacturers!. If the woods receive ne- 
cessary care and attention after the first cutting, they will 
replace themselves at periods from 15 to 18 years. The 
charcoal used in Siberia is all made from the pine and larch, 
the country affording no other varieties of timber. In 
Sweden, the manufacturers are supplied with a considera- 
ble proportion of harder woods, which is greatly in favour 
of the manufacture. 
It has already been noticed, in a former paper, that the 
fuel used in Britain at an early period, and so far down as 
the beginning of the present century, chiefly consisted of 
wood. The kinds of wood used for this purpose were 
* Pit-coal has been discovered in Siberia of various qualities and 
in great abundance, fit for the same purposes to which it is applied 
in this country. 
f In Sweden there is a law restricting the manufacturers of iron 
to a certain annual produce ; and this quantity is always in propor- 
tion to the ground attached to the work. In this manner the wood 
is enabled to replace itself at certain intervals ; and each work is 
insured of an annual, though moderate supply. The more extern 
sive and unpeopled tracts of Siberia, render such exactitude in the 
execution of the laws less necessary. 
