TORBITE AND ITS USES. 201 
a saving, as regards weight consumed, of twenty-five to thirty per cent, 
over the average of three months' working with coal on the same 
journey. There was an excess of steam throughout the run, though the 
fire-door was constantly open and the damper down. At starting the 
pressure was 100 lb., but during the trip, and while ascending a steep 
incline, it rose to 110 lb., and afterwards to 120 lb. with the fire-door 
open. While running there was no smoke, and very little when stand- 
ing still. 
At the Horwich works the fuel was tested against coal under the 
boiler there. This was done on two consecutive days, the fire having on 
each occasion been raked out the night previous. 
The following results were obtained : — Coal got up steam to 10 lb. 
pressure in 2 hours 25 minutes, and to 25 lb. pressure in 3 hours ; 
peat fuel got up steam to 10 lb in 1 hour 10 minutes, and to 25 lb. in 
1 hour 32 minutes ; 21 cwt. of coal maintained steam at 30 lb. pressure 
for 9| hours ; 11 J cwt. of peat fuel maintained steam at the same pres- 
sure for 8 hours. 
But in addition to this a large economy is effected by the use of peat 
fuel for the generation of steam in the saving of boilers and fire-bars 
from the destruction caused by the sulphur in coal, from which peat is 
free. In Bavaria, peat fuel has been used on the railways for several 
years past, and the economy effected by its use in the wear and tear 
of the engines is stated by the officials in their reports to be very con- 
siderable. 
The bogs of Great Britain and Ireland cover an area exceeding five 
millions of acres, the average depth of which may be taken at twenty 
feet. Nature has thus supplied us with the means of adding to our 
stock of fuel some twenty thousand millions of tons. 
In Ireland, about a million and a half of acres have been thoroughly 
surveyed. In the reports of these surveys it is stated that beneath the 
peat an excellent soil, well situated for drainage, was found fit for arable 
or pasture land. When it is considered what peat is capable of doing, 
and all the results involved in the question of utilising peat, it is im- 
possible not to feel impressed with the conviction that in what has been 
accomplished at Horwich, the foundation has been laid of an undertaking 
of great national importance and interest. 
