164 GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 
The Lower Kittanning coal is one of the most important seams in 
the Ohio series. It is mined in southern Mahoning county to a small 
extent. It is more largely worked in southern Columbiana and in 
Jefferson counties, though here the Kittanning clay that underlies it is 
of much more importance and value than the coal. The two beds, coal 
and clay, are often worked together. In northern Columbiana the bed 
attains great excellence, where it makes the well-known Leetonia coal. 
The purest and strongest coke of the State is obtained from this seam 
in this vicinity. It has been worked very largely here for a number of 
years, and is at present supplying two blast furnaces and a rolling mill. 
Though made the basis of a large production, the seam is thin, falling 
below 3 feet throughout all the territory, and being less than 30 inches 
thick at the point where it is most valued. 
Passing westward, we find the coal thin in eastern and central 
Stark county, but regaining its volume in Tuscarawas county. At 
Mineral Point it is at its best, for all this part of the State, as to quality 
and thickness. It disappears very often in Holmes and Coshocton, 
though there are many small mines opened in it in both counties. 
In Muskingum it again becomes important, and is known as the 
Lower Zanesville coal. It is here 4 to 5 feet in thickness, and of ex- 
cellent quality. It is largely worked here. The same description will 
apply to Perry county. Through all of these regions it is in the main 
an open-burning, white-ash coal. The ash is low asa rule, but the 
percentage of sulphur is generally high. 
In following it still westward, it holds its old character very well, 
but as it does not exceed 3 feet in thickness, it is completely over- 
shadowed by the Middle Kittanning seam that lies but 20 to 30 feet 
above it. 
It is for the most part quite thin throughout Vinton and Jackson 
counties, though it frequently rises to 2 or 3 feet in thickness, but in 
southern Lawrence it becomes a main reliance for a large territory, and 
is worked in large mines, and is shipped by rail and river. It is here 
known as the New Castle coal. 
Its characteristics can be made out from the statements already 
furnished. Its fixed carbon is very nearly 50 per cent. through most 
of the field. At Leetonia, however, it rises high above this figure. 
