Demoine courier., 1854-07-13

sS"Sht. 10
in the River Improvement. The sub
slanlials of i, by analysis are:
Carbonate OF lime, 63.6
Silica, l55
AlumlHa, S.3
Protoxide Of iron, IA
Magnesia, l.2
VIII small portion OF magnese, soda
and potash.
1t will readily be seen that the demand
for this is great, when i, is said that S6,-
600 worth at The ordinary prices. will be
wanted for every lock on the river, and
when il is also said that at nearly every
dwelling in the Western country, cis-
tern coated with this cement will be in.
dispensable, as The means of obtaining
supply OF pure, soft water. The walls
and The floors OF damp cellars Nust also
be Land in cement. And the cement Of
This Valley will be wanted. because i, is
more accessible, the present demand be-
ing supplied in great measure from La
Sale, Illinois, and Louisville, KY, and
also because the Valley cement is proba-
bly, fully equal 10 that from other places.
That the reader may see how its con-
s!ituen,s compare with other cement, We
will give the analysis of that which is
extensively used in the State of New
York. lis composition, according to
Prof. Beck. is:
Carbonate of lime, 500
Silica, 1887
Alumina, 9.l3
Peroxide Of iron, 225
Magnesia, 1885
Comparing this analysis with that of
The valley cement, it will be seen that
they are substantially the same. We
will here add practical remark, which
may be of much value 10 those who un-
der,ake TO manufacture this cement, and
10 those who undertake TO specimens.
Very much depends upon burning it,
If care be no. taken, ,he best cement
may be easily spoiled. In ST. Johns
Geology, p. 274, will be found the fol.
lowing: Greater caution is requisite in
burning hydraulic lime, since il is fasi.
BILE, and the heat applied TO the common
Line will vi,rify this substance and rem.
der the process quite imperfect; common
lime will bear white heat, bu. the call
cination Of hydraulic lime is not well eff
iected above a red heat"
When proper arrangements shall be
made for working this limestone, i, is
said the cement can be afforded, at the
kiln for 81 % per barrel. The carriage
of i. to the Mississippi by land, is at
leas, one dollar per bbl. per 100 miles.
while cemen, from other places costs
SO 90 TO SO so Der barrel.
COMMON LIMESTONE.
Though this is regarded as prevail
ing rock in the West, there are large Sec
lions, aud in Iowa, where the limestone
is so largely magnesian, as TO be unfit
for quick lime and morlar. The proper
position oil the common or mountain
limestone in the corboniierous system,
Is below the coal. Accordingly it is
found all along the valley, in the greatest
abundance. and Of the best qualify
Much of il contains 90 per cent. carbon
ate of lime. This is among lhe most
valuable of stones for quick lime.
Closely allied to this stone, and still
lower in The sy stem. is the blue lime
store. Some of this is deep blue. and
some of blush grey. Itis harder than
common limestone, often highly chrys-
taline. aud iossiliferous. |, usually lies
in strata in the valley, varying from a
few inches to some fee. in thickness
The strata are remarkable for evenness.
This stone is good for quicklime. but is
of superior quality for building material.
II is as beautiful and durable as Quincy
granite, while the cost Of putting il into
the wall is comparatively ,riiiing. The
principal places where i. is accessible