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COAL MINES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. 871 
It holds the fire well, and is counted a strong and serviceable coal, but 
it does not ignite as easily as the seam above it. 
The Middle Kittanning seam (No. 6) is also a bright, cubical coal, 
mining in small or medium size blocks. It kindles easily, burns with 
a long flame, and is in especially good repute asa steam coal, and is also 
highly valued asa grate coal. In Zanesville it is also used asa gas 
coal. It contains always less than 50 per cent. of fixed carbon, and 
always more than 40 per cent. of volatile matter. It is low in ash, 
averaging less than 4 per cent., the color of the ash being characteris- 
tically purple. Of sulphur, it contains more than 2 per cent. In other 
words, the seam still holds the characteristics that have marked it from 
Stark county southwards. Through Tuscarawas, Holmes and Coshocton, 
it is constant in maintaining the features given above. 
The Upper Freeport seam also holds the general characteristics 
that have been found to mark it, in its great centers of production 
already described, viz., Salineville, Sherrodsville and Cambridge. It 
contains an average of 53 per cent. of fixed carbon, and always less 
than 38 per cent. of volatile matter, with a single interesting exception 
to be hereafter noted. Its ash is moderate in amount, and is seldom 
or never red in color. It contains less sulphur than the Kittanning 
coals. It mines fairly large, but isa weak coal, breaking up easily 
under handling. It is well esteemed for all ordinary uses throughout 
those portions of the county where it is mined, but it is everywhere 
divided by shale partings that cause it to be a dirty coal, unless well- 
screened. } 
Tue Kirrannine Coats, Nos. 5 anp 6. 
The two Kittanning coals are but 16 to 30 feet apart, and they 
therefore hold about the same areas where both are developed. 
The lower coal, as will have been already learned from previous 
chapters, is weak and uncertain throughout Holmes and Coshocton 
counties. Its horizon is often clearly enough shown, but few or no 
mines are reported in it to the west and south of Tuscarawas county. 
This same state of facts continues throughout the northern half of Mus- 
kingum county. It is not until we reach the neighborhood of Zanes- 
ville that we find it again becoming a basis for profitable mining. In 
the 6th ward of Zanesville, and in sub-sections 1, 2, 3, 4and 16, Wash- 
ington township, it has long bezn worked. It is known as the “ Four- 
