Facts about peat as an artical of fuel

Front matter

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Introduction to Third Edition 7

Importance attached to fire ; its universal use; full value and influence upon changes in nature; heat, light, and fuel essential to man ; artificial heat required in useful arts ; its use as motive-power comparatively modern ; influence of fuel upon the political power of a country; material sources of heat ; substances employed as fuel; fuel a source of wealth ; what substances are termed fuel.; Avhen inflammable fuels are required, and how peat answers such requirements ; wood, peat, and coal allied ; changes induced by physical effects ; analogy existing between peat and coal; vegetable origin; peat as fuel comparatively unknown; value of peat not realized ; aim of former manufacturers ; numerous machines, but no satisfactory method of manufacture ; failure through lack of comprehension of nature of peat; popular error in manufacture of peat; simplicity and cheapness of recent inventions ; superiority of peat for domestic and manufacturing purposes ; peat for generating steam ; can compete in cost with coal ; peat for railroads ; every manufactory can have its own peat-meadow, and the result of such ownership ; Professor Emmons's remarks and opinions.

What is it? color and consistency; natural history; theories of formation; peat in England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Holland, and France ; area, depth, and quality; stratification with gravel, clay, shells, &c; opiuions of Professor Dana, Macculloch, Williams, Sir James Hall, Dr. Rennie, and others ; " recent peat" and " older peat; " peat-meadows may be probed, and how ; density ; percentage of moisture ; highly inflammable ; animal and vegetable remains found in peat-bogs ; percentage of ash; odor from burning peat; peat peculiar to cold climates; peat in England, Scotland, and France ; Professor Lyell and Dr. Darwin quoted ; early mention of peat from various authorities ; sweet and wholesome fire for invalids.

Primitive methods of cutting and preparing peat-fuel; peat-knife or stone described; recent operations at Barnstable; peat sold in Boston; " hand-peat " in Holland and Ireland ; machines for cutting peat ; dredging peat; best peat-cutter, and what it will accomplish; B. H. Paul on " The Utilization of Peat ; " method in Scotland ; methods of manufacture in Europe, devised by Williams, Codbold, Stones, Buckland, Hodgson, Gwynne & Co., Maunhardt, Exter, Versmaun, Challeton, Siemens, Weber, Gysser, Schlickensen, and others, comprising the icet process and dry process; advantages and disadvantages of the two processes ; methods of manufacture in America; variety of presses and machines; description of works at Lexington, Mass.,Pekin, N. Y., Bulstrode, C. W., Belleville, N. J., comprising the Ashcroft & Betteley, Roberts, Hodges, Elsberg, and Leavitt machines ; estimates for putting up peat-works ; cost of labor to manufacture peat-fuel ; data concerning peat-beds, and results of observation from practical operations at the works of the Boston Peat Co. at Lexington ; method of working ; yield of dry fuel ; specific gravity ; weight per cord ; quality improves by age ; should be housed; drying peat; peculiarities; what is required; steady progress is beinjr made.

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Peat-Charcoal 69

Simple mode of carbonizing ; advantage gained by coking; density superior to best -wood-charcoal ; calorific power intense ; specimens in Great Exhibition at Paris iti 1651 ; peat and peat-charcoal used in Paris; general principles of carbonizing the same in all countries ; Professor Johnson on its value and uses; comparative value of charcoal from peat manufactured by the dry and wet processes, with tests; high heating power; disinfecting and fertilizing qualities.

Peat in Europe 73

Ireland ; Mr. Griffith's description of bogs of Ireland ; bog of Dourah; how bog-timber is found; " The Bog of Allen;" extent of peat soil in Ireland; value of amount cut, and importance of peat in Ireland; Mr. Aher quoted ; forests overthrown and covered with peat ; timber, coins, arms, and utensils found in peat ; forests destroyed ; bog-iron ore.

Peat in France 81

Peat-fuel for Paris market ; where cut ; quantity ; value ; peat-charcoal and ashes; "best fuel the earth produces;" French treatise on peat; uses of peat and charcoal; value of peat-ashes; estimates of the value of peat-fuel by French engineers; consumption of fuel of all kinds in France; its equivalent in peat; cost of working pig iron; economy of peat for all purposes ; estimate of peat-fuel required for the entire locomotive service of France; bulk of peat-fuel; testimony of Supt. of R. R. Engineers ; density of peat-fuel.

Peat in Italy 87

Successful introduction of peat in the puddling of iron and steel ; accomplished by the Siemens Gas Furnace ; iron mines of Elba; amount of pig iron produced.

Peat on the Falkland Islands 88

Destitute of coal and wood ; peat is abundant.

Peat in Newfoundland 88

Large quantities of good peat ; the manufacture of it commenced.

Peat in Nova Scotia 88

Peat-bogs numerous ; well decomposed and bituminous.

Peat in Asia 89

Major Risley's account of "combustible mud; " tried on locomotive at Cawnpore; compared with wood; cost; superstitions of the natives.

Peat in Canada 90

Location, character, and extent of deposits of peat ; Mr. Hodges's operations : experiments on Grand Trunk R. R. ; contract to furnish peat to G. T. R. R. Co. ; importance of the fuel question in Canada ; estimate of annual amount to be saved by the use of peat; government should aid the peat-fuel enterprise; probabilities of sufficient supply; present suffering and privation for lack of cheap fuel; supply abundant; requires only enterprise and capital.

Peat in Maine 101

Statements by Dr. Jackson ; analysis; similarity to coal; theory of its formation; superiority over wood and coal; abundant deposits; localities; may be used for burning lime and for domestic purposes; Campo Bello.

Peat in New Hampshire 103

Deposits numerous and of excellent quality; localities; prospects.

Peat in Vermont 104

Peat-beds in all parts of the State ; great depth ; interesting peculiarities; localities; marl-beds; beaver works; remarkable discoveries;

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boaes of elephants found In peat; peat suitable for gas; peat at great elevation.

Peat in MASSACHUSETTS 108

Dr. Hitclicoek's Btatements and opinions ; eighty thousand acres of peat in the State; peat fever; localities; varieties of peat; peculiarities Of peat-beds j submerged forests; letter from Elias riiinney; peat-fuel as compared with wood : formation of peat ; when and how to cut and cure; its value; Dr. Rennie on peat; peat-water astringent and antisaptie; salubrity and healthfulness of peat-bogs; similarity of peat and coal ; similarity of origin.

Peat in Rhode Island 117

Teat in nearly every town in the State ; some of excellent quality, and is to be worked for fuel ; manufacturing interests promoted by it.

Peat in Connecticut 118

Rich in deposits of peat; Professor Johnson's report; localities; preparations for producing the fuel ; its importance to manufacturing establishments and railroads.

Peat in New York 120

Reports by Professor Mather, Mr. Vanuxem, and Dr. Emmons; high economical value of peat; extracts from reports; importance urged; great body of heat ; substitute for best Liverpool coal ; how to test it; where to rind it; ranks next to coal for sustaining high temperature; abundance and cheapness commend it to public attention; extended list of localities ; bones of the mastodon found in peat in several localities ; ostrich egg in peat ; numerous peat-beds on Long Island ; peat is an important item in the natural resources of wealth in the State.

Peat in New Jersey 138

Deposits numerous;- interest manifested; localities; marl beds ; cedar swamps, and what is found in them; great age of some of the trees; peat very pure; large amount of timber raised from the swamps ; used for rails and shingles ; immense bogs.

Peat in Pennsylvania . . ; 141

Peat-bogs are unripe beds of coal; interesting and valuable extracts from Geological Report of the State ; description of a very peculiar peat-bog in Denmark; Dismal Swamp ; the beautiful economy of nature ; its laws are simple ; progress slow; results wonderful ; remarkable bed of lignite in Germany ; another peculiar deposit in Denmark.

Peat in Virginia 146

The Great Dismal Swamp ; peat companies to operate in it; " Bare Garden ; " peculiarities of growth and formation: analyses of peats by Professors Johnson and Silliman; formation of these deposits; quality and depth of peat; Dismal Swamp Canal ; peculiarities of the wood, water, and atmosphere of the swamp ; choice timber ; rich and pure peat ; facilities for manufacture and shipment ; area and depth ; capital and enterprise attracted ; sweetwater: antiseptic properties.

Peat in Ohio 156

Information wanted.

Peat in Michigan 156

Letter from Professor Winchell; deposits numerous, deep, and of good quality ; importance of the subject to housekeeper, capitalist, and manufacturer; analyses; supply inexhaustible ; operations commenced.

Peat in Indiana 159

Thousands of acres of good quality : operations commenced ; one bog containing one hundred and eighty square miles of peat, forty feet deep; ample supply along t!;r lines of railroads.

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Peat in Illinois 161

Valuable deposits ; supply of coal ; consumption of coal ; high cost of coal; importance of the fuel question; peat and its uses for domestic purposes, manufacturing and locomotive service ; advantages to result from the introduction of peat-fuel ; " cheap fuel " will make Chicago a gTeat manufacturing city ; explorations and anticipations.

Peat in Wisconsin 164

Peat is abundant ; wood and coal scarce ; characteristics of peat-beds , in this region ; Dr. Hayes's report on Wisconsin peat ; calorific power and illuminating properties; the " Northern Farmer " on peat; important source of wealth ; more valuable than coal ; cost of manufacture ; saves the timber ; worthless marsh lands ate now valuable as coal-beds ; money and enterprise are invited.

Peat in Iowa 168

Importance of the subject; State Geologist is investigating; lack of fuel is a great hinderance to the settlement of the State ; peat offers to remedy the difficulty ; letter from Dr. White, State Geologist ; formation of peat ; its value ; successful method and machinery for preparing it ; lack of timber and coal ; explorations for peat to be continued.

Peat in Minnesota . ' . . . 170

What the " St. Paul Press " says ; exhaustless deposits of peat in every Northern State ; Minnesota " beats all creation " on peat; peat and petroleum ; peat machines ; green bass-wood at eight dollars per cord, and a hint to " enterprising citizens."

Rumors and reports of extensive peat deposits; government orders to explore, investigate, and report.

Peat in California 173

Tula marshes identical with peat ; inquiries instituted.

Peat in the Manufacture of Iron 173

Peat can be used economically and profitably ; early experience with coal ; peat has been successfully employed in England, France, Italy, Bohemia, Bavaria, Westphalia, Wurtemberg, and elsewhere; peat-coke is of greater value than best wood-charcoal. Peat preferable for welding, fine iron work, &c. ; can be used in puddling and reverberatory furnaces and forges, and in blast furnaces ; comparative heating power ; advantage gained by condensing peat; particulars concerning the use of peat in iron works at Konigsbronn, Ichoux, Ransko, Schlackenwerth, Weiherhammer, Magdeberg, Nerecia, and in Italy; comparative cost and results ; importance of the subject to France, Germany, and Sweden ; extracts from published statements ; iron made with peat charcoal will not splinter; peat used in smelting lead; gas furnaces for the treatment of metals and glass ; description of the Siemens Regenerative Gas Furnace, and the practicability of employing peat and other cheap fuels in it ; advantages to accrue to certain sections from the adoption of this process; establishments now using it; W. E. Newton before Soc. of Arts ; experiments and results ; D. K. Clark, C. E., before Brit. Asso. ; further experiments, results, and opinions ; iron metallurgists are agreed ; tests in Sweden and Germany, at Bolton and Horwich ;. reports of Mr. Sanderson of Sheffield, Mr. Fothergill of Oldham, Messrs. Brown and Lennox, Professor Emmons, Mr. McDougall, Mr. Campbell, Professor Johnson, and Lond. Mech. Mag., embodying tests, experiments, opinions, and results ; economical use of peat; peat in Austria in puddling, reheating, and blast furnaces.

Peat as Applied for Generating Steam . . . 198

Use of peat on steamers j Mr. Williams's patents; peat for fireworks,

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and lor softening steel ; Mr. Brunton, Mr. Paul, and Professor Emmons ; statements and illustrations; Mr. Nursey before Soc. of Engineers, on English coal fields ; deposits of peat in Great Britain and Ireland; eost of peat-fuel; qualities superior to coal; experiments on steamboat and locomotive, in smelting iron, in puddling- furnace, and for producing gaa ; Lond. Meoh. Mag. ; statements and opinions ; peat is the only fuel for locomotives in South Bavaria; used on an English railway ; test at the llorwieh works ; trial on Paris and Lyons R. R. ; no smoke, much gas, constant flame; advantages of peat for steam-fuel enumerated*; saving of grate-bars and furnaces; trials by Nar. Brick Co. on N. Y. Central, Hartford, and Spr., Hud. River, Eastern, and Vt. Central, and Grand Trunk railroads, with details of cost and results ; trials at East Boston and Lowell ; the fuel is proved to be "good;" " the people have to learn how to use it."

Peat for Domestic Purposes 218

Importance of observing how to use it ; methods and appliances for using it economically and advantageously ; statements and opinions ; peat used in Boston and vicinity ; peat for kiudling; peat sold in boxes like wood, and in bulk like coal.

Intensity of Heat generated by Peat .... 221

Intense heating properties are of special importance : comparative composition of fuels ; comparative importance of quantity and intensity of heat; reasons for converting coal into coke, and wood into charcoal.

Peats differ in quality and characteristics in same manner as woods and coals ; stoves, furnaces, grates, drafts, &c, to be adapted ; appliances required are simple ; for locomotives and stationary engines ; use of fuel dry and partially dried ; progress of economy in the use of fuels generally.

Gas from Peat 230

Tested jn Europe ; yield equal to coal ; brilliancy and power superior ; early experiments ; gas furnaces for iron in France, Germany, Prussia, and Sweden ; used at Dartmoor prison ; high illuminating power of peat gas and peat oil compared with coal gas ; statements by Mr. Paul, Mr. Keats, Mr. Brunton, Mr. Versmann, and Professor Emmons; advantages of peat for gas ; importance for gas second only to coal for fuel;, tests by Dr. Hayes; experiments at Portland, Utica, Lansingburg, &c. ; retorts for producing it ; quantity, density, and illuminating power as compared with gas from coal.

Peat in Gunpowder and Fireworks 239

Superior to charcoal from dog-wood and alder : combustion more instantaneous and perfect ; used in Europe for brilliant colored fires.

Chemical Products from the Distillation of Peat 240

Statements by Lord Ashley in 1849; tests by Dr. Hodges; estimate by Coffey & Sons, for producing on a large scale; expenditures and returns; Professor Brando's opinions ; products of destructive distillation ; bleaching properties of peat-charcoal ; Irish Peat Company's operations ; B. II. Paul on the manufacture of hydro-carbon oils, paraffine, &c, from peat ; analine colors and paraffine candles from peat.

Ultimate elements ; chemical products ; reports of analyses ; contents of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen ; percentage of ashes ; specific gravity and composition of peat ashes ; methods of analyses and distillation ; water, tar, charcoal, gas ; ammonia, acetic acid, naphtha, paraffine, oils; products estimated by the Irish Peat Company; heating power of peat-turf (not condensed) and peat-charcoal; relative calorific power, by

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the " Litharge test ; " peat coke compared with coal coke; lead melted and water heated ; specific gravity of peats ; peat coke superior to charcoal ; calorific value or power of peat coke equal to coal coke — evaporating powers of the two nearly equal ; freedom from sulphur ; decided superiority for working iron, brass, and copper.

Tests, Experiments, and Testimony 261

Statements concerning trials of peat-fuel ; the practicability of using it; relative value aud heating power ; purposes for which it may be easily, effectually, and economically used; statements and opinions of practical and scientific men; miscellaneous tests and statements; peat-charcoal, its density and calorific power ; working iron ; generating steam ; for domestic purposes ; intensity of heating power; how to use peat ; appliances for burning peat ; gas from peat ; gunpowder and fireworks ; chemical products ; analyses and properties ; specific gravity of peat and peat charcoal ; how to compare peat with other fuels.

Peat for Pavements 263

How prepared with carbonate of lime and coal tar ; resembles asphalt.

Paper from Peat 263

Experiments in France and America.

Peat for Building and Ornamental Work . . 264

How prepared ; used for ornamental work on buildings, for toys, fancy articles, rings, and jewelry; resembles India-rubber.

Peat for Tanning Leather 265

Said to possess properties valuable for this purpose.

Antiseptic Properties of Peat 266

Remarkable cases of the preservation of human bodies, animals, &c, in peat ; quotations from Dr. Rennie and Professor Lyell.

Peat as a Disinfectant and Deodorizing Agent 269

Properties well known ;" Chemical Deodorizing Powder" nothing but peat; " it is really the abater of every nuisance."

Peat as a Fertilizer 270

Its value to agricultural interests ; ingredients, qualities, and properties ; analyses ; weight, compositon, and comparative value.

Ashes of Peat 274

Value, use, and composition; used for cement and polishing powder.

Conclusions 274

The subject is of sufficient importance to command earnest attention from the business man and the philanthropist.

Authorities Quoted 275

Utilization of Coal Dust with Peat . * . . 277

A compound fuel of excellent quality, produced at moderate cost, and specially adapted for steam service ; method and cost of manufacture ; facilities for producing it along the lines of railroad ; saving in cost of fuel; report of experiments on "Western Railroad; results and conclusions ; importance of this invention to mining and gas companies.

Mainly devoted to extracts from newspapers from all sections of the country, embracing a great variety of statements and observations, of no less interest and importance than those contained in the body of the work, and equally worthy of careful perusal and consideration.