Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 
89 
cost than the wood could be cut, or the coal be hauled from the 
station,and the consciousness of possession of an independent sup¬ 
ply of fuel from the re-grown forests, will forever check the growth 
in our midst of monopolists to control this necessity, and the new 
lines of roads that will lead from our large peat deposits, to our iron, 
zinc and lead mines, will solve the transportation question, as our 
accumulations of wealth will reduce the interest on money. And 
T stand ready here to-day to prove my sincerity, by tendering the re¬ 
sult of a year’s earnest labor and study to the solution of this great 
question of cheap fuel. 
I cannot convey more forcibly the practical view of this subject 
than by quoting the close of the report of Prof. Winchel on peat 
to the Minnesota Legislature in 1873. “A few years ago a feverish 
excitement spread over the country in reference to peat, which en¬ 
tirely disappeared, and nothing remains to witness the folly, but 
idle, rusty machinery, invented or purchased, and almost forgotten 
bogs which were eagerly bought. This phase of the peat enter¬ 
prise is not however the just criterian by which to judge it. It is 
only an index ot a deep seated want. The immature development 
of the first peat agitations in this country were enough to start 
into flame the desire of the people for relief from the high prices 
of wood and coal. The result was wide spread speculation. From 
this there has been a corresponding reaction. This has not, nor 
does not detract from the value of peat as a fuel. Sober minded 
men, consumers of large quantities of fuel have in some instances 
and in various parts of the country, steadily and presistantly fol¬ 
lowed up the matter. Here and there a railroad, an iron furnace, a 
manufacturing establishment or a family has continued to produce 
and use peat fuel until it has regained much of its lost favor, and 
it is now in actual demand by consumers of the heaviest class, who 
are ready to purchase largely at remunerative prices. The demand 
however, is one that will not be met by anything less than the con¬ 
stant and steady supply equal to its requirements. It calls for the 
best machinery and process, equipped with the best facilities, and 
aided and backed by large capital.” 
Mr. Stilson. I wish to ask a question. 1 remember an attempt 
a few years ago to warm the capitol building here with peat. W as 
that free from sand ? 
Mr. Newton. No, sir: it was not, and it was owing to the wa- 
