IRON MANUFACTURE. 481 
from such “prospects” to the valley for trial already. The price of the 
Lake ores in this district is of course, variable, but as a statement of 
the average $6.00 to $7.00 per ton for 58 to 60 per cent. ore may be taken. 
The roasted native ore used represents a cost of about $4.40 to $4.50 
per ton at the furnaces. These figures represent about the average at 
present (1883). , 
The fuel is the item in which the smelters of this district have 
their greatest advantage; the coal costs at the furnace but $1.35 to $1.50 per 
ton. Against this low figure, however, comes the large amount required, 
3 to $g tons being used to smelt a ton of iron. The experiment of coking 
this coal is to be tried again. Though considered a non-coking coal, 
there is reason to believe that careful work in the right sort of ovens 
would result in the making of a serviceable furnace coke ; of course to 
be of service this coking would follow careful washing. Experiments 
where the coal was crushed very fine and then washed, have yielded 
results sufficiently favorable to warrant the expectation of ultimate 
success. 
The making of such a coke would be of great benefit to the valley, as 
its use would reduce greatly the cost and uncertainty of smelting, and 
would add greatly to the prospects of the region. 
The following summary of a week’s run at one of the best of 
the valley furnaces is inserted, showing the mixture used, the fuel, 
burden, and flux. The figures were taken from the actual work of the 
furnace as shown by its books, kindly furnished by the company for 
the purpvse : 
Time oF Run, 6 Days 17 Hours. 
Charges. Pounds. 
TEEN 2) CS sok Bein ocsGd0ccR COCA CRO BOR NB COE SOND STE CROC EEE SOGCOACEAUA CSSA a its wei nr amr 197,600 
ING TVICKORE ects thee: (aaa aa cotieiesticccolcwascecer stb tnaawes clase acted Odd Neaaebeas 544,270 
Mire ciindle reas ven eseiit teen nescsecsieee ater coketsecdy Geese ene cece seveleae screeds 131,010 
HEIMTESTOMOM ae erect rciats atcace steers mc sot acen) desc cdnlnde eta seste’veesws seed Ss 565,610 
Coa Ree RET LE EURO RUIND IonE MEN Sac Minto e Fe 1.193,400 
Iron made, 190 tons of 2,268 pounds; hot-blast (about 900°) iron, 
foundry and mill. Other figures and analysis will be given when 
speaking especially of the character of the smelting. 
31 G. 
