Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-01-06


or dirt as well sulphur and other impurities wncn
iniure mineral coal when employed for heating and
reducing the metallic ores. Having, then, bad TINS
coal under examination for four years past, and
having used it in CRATE, and having observed its
action in the forge and having also the testimony OF
competent observers and experimenters as 10 It's
value for gas, as well as the value OF its coke,
there remains, as l conceive, not the shadow OF
doubt as to its value when employed for melting iron,
reducing its Ores of its value for all manutactu'
ring purposes where charcoal is not absolutely re-
quired.
2-METALIc ORES. PARTICULARLY, IRON.
Five kinds of iron ore belong, geologcaly, to the
Valley of Deep River and are known to be central
lied upon that portion of it where the coal forma-
ton is perfectly developed Two of the kinds form
inexhaustible beds in the coal measures, and one Is
SO Immediately connected with the seams as to re-
ouire removal when the coal is mined.
The hydrated argiilaceous oxide exists in BED
from to feet thick, 20 feet above the first coal
seam. Its position and connection Is SO favoraoie
for mining that many tons may be thrown down eV,
cry hour by single miner This ore Is the kna
which usually accompanies the coal measures OF all
countries It possesses properties in common with the
ores of this class, especially that of Pennsylvania
and the carboniferous system of Wales. Its prop
critics and value too well known to require COM
ment at this time.
The 6lack band is the most important id valua-
BILE of al the of this formation 1t first appears
bet<sfn the two proxirnate seams of coal. having
width of Is inches. Below it is the 22inch seam
which is succeeded by about ID inches OF black band
which rests on another seam of coal 6 or inches
thick. About 80 feet lower are two beds OF 6hIcG
band, whose thickness is feet, separated by seam
of coal foot thick which is too much charged with
the same ore as to admit of its use fuel. Both
of these zones of black band removed along with
the coal and being underlaid either by fire-clay or
bituminous shale, is thrown down with little labor
and expense. l speak of this for the purpose OF
showing that the cost of obtaining this ore is tring
when the arrangements are once made. The btdcE
band owes its value to the carbon which is combined
with it. When properly roasted the ore is left in an
open porous state, and in the condition Of protox-
ide fact which is evident from its strong magnetic
powers 1t is, therefore, homogeneous ore, retain
ing still some carbon to aid in its reduction.
lows:
Carbon and volatile matter, 40.62
Per oxide of iron, 1850
Slick, 900
Sulphur, trace.
From the foregoing it is evident that iron can be
cheaply made from the black band and as the best
Scotch pig is made from it, a kind so much sought
for in this country, it may be regarded as equally
worthy Of belief that the of this ore will supply
article which has for long time been imported,
and thereby US from the necessity of large
pendures for this kind of metal.
The black band is known to be CO .extensive with
the coal formation. 1t is, therefore, incxhausble.
and its quantity is so great and widely distribu
ted that its never become monopoly by
any company. An estimate of the cost of making
pig iron from this ore by experienced and highly
accomplished iron founder, made at my request,
and it appeared that pig, equal probably to the best
Scotch pig, could be manufactured at cost not ex
ceeding nine dollars per ton.
deem it will be sufficient to answer the purposes
Of this report to aude only to the specular, mag
netic and h9matitic ores of Deep River. The
est locality of the specular is about miles north
west from the Gulf upon the plankroad leading to
Graham. The magnetic is about miles farther in
the same direction and the hemattic occupies
elevated point known as the Ore Knob, situated
miles from the Gulf. and about the same distance
from CarbOnon. The latter was used in the time of
the revolution, and the castings then made re-
markable for their toughness and strength. These
three kinds of ore possess the usual properties and
characteristics and being unmixed with foreign mat
ter possessing injurious properties, it is conceived
that they also fitted for all the purposes to which
these ores are usually put.
From the foregoing statements it will appear that
in the neighborhood of Egypt the Gulf of Carbon
ton, there never be any lack or want of raw
terals for the manufacture of iron and these
al localities being concentrated in limited region,
it must strike every one at all conversant with this
matter that here is combination of advantages
for the manufacture of iron in all the forms and
dtons which the present state of society requires.
3.-T1MBER FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Deep River in its lower reaches skirts and passes
through belt Of the long leaved pine. This belt of
pine is mostly on its southern bank On the east,
north and northwest the oaks and hickories form
the principal kinds of timber, intermixed however,
more or less with the short leaf pine. A great for
est of white oaks skirts the tributaries Of the Haw
River. This belt extends from the mouth of the
New Hope to the vicinity Of Chapel Hill. Its mouth
is about miles above the junction of the Haw and
Deep Rivers. The Haw becoming navigable to the
mouth, or near the mouth of New Hope, opens
way to this forest of many thousand acres occupied
by this valuable tree. But this, together with
hickory, ash and elm, grow extensively throughout
the valley and upon the adjacent slopes skrting it,
and, moreover, as the mild climate favors the rapid
growth of all forest trees it is fair conclusion that
there will be for years to come timber for all the
purposes demanded for the construction of imple-
ments of war and of defence 1t is to be recollect-
ed, in this connection, that the forests have never
been thnned by manufacturing companies as is the
case in New England and New York, neither has
the long leaved pine been used for the extraction of
turpentine.
4-QUARRIEs OF FREE STONE, GRANITE AND OTHER
STONE FOR CONSTRUCTION
The common rock Of this coal formation is a red,
brown or cream colored free stone, which, however,
is inter strati6ed with tender, brown or reddish
shales. Free stone OF various textures and colors
are the common products of the formation. One
hundred years exposure of this stone to the amos-
phere proves it a durable material for building
The layers vary in thickness they soft and east
ly dressed when first removed from the quarry but
soon harden, when they become stable, and remain
Interchangeable Grindstones, coarse and fire. are al
so of sufficient value to require a passing notice
Roofing slate may be obtained upon Rocky River,
and granite of superior quality at Buckhorn, on
the Cape Fear.
5.-WATER Power.
1t is question which remains to be settled by
others whether, upon coal mine which must al
ways furnish large amount Of fine coal, water