The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-08-31

he udily increasing scarcity among us OF
wood for fuel-a scarcity brought on by the
recklessly improvident manner in which our
forests are being destroyed-with the enor-
mously high rates at which coal is kept
through the combined influences of specula-
ton and miners strikes, has made it ques
lloh OF much Importance what the people of
TINS country are to burn. There is really
danger that If these causes are to continue to
operate as they have done hitherto, our great
manufacturing interests may be seriously
compromised by the inordinate expense of
fuel. u 1000 t3fe
In these circumstances a special interest
ana importance attaches to the recent wide
spread discoveries of peat deposits through
out the Atlantic and Northern States. By
processes which are at once simple and cheap
peat may be made the very best of fuel. The
result Of experiments tried Gin families, on
railroads, in iron works, and for steam in
manufactures, show that this article, which
might be proftably sold everywhere for four
or five dollars ton, is worth, ton for ton,
about as much as coal" while for most pur-
poses it is more convenient and quite as agree
able in the using. The soil of our own State
is largely supplied with this valuable deposit,
though it is, thus far, only in few localities
that it has been turned to account. I'm
doubtedly this neglect of what might be
source OF great wealth is chiefly owing to
deficiency of information in relation to the
means of discovering the peat, and the cheap
est and best methods of preparing it for con-
sumption. An article which we find in re-
cent number Of the Ne York Evening Post,
contains some hints. upon both these points
which we think will be of interest to our
readers: rtfa.rfa
The peat machine which has, so far shown
itself to be the most practically useful, is one
used and made near Boston: it is called Leay-
tits machine The peat as it is cut from the
swamp, is dumped from the cart into hopper,
from which 1t passes down an upright box,
four feet square, in which revolves an upright
shaft with arms of steel that have cutting
edge, and that also passes over other arms fixed
in the sides OF the box, with q sliding motion
like that of an apothecary's spatula or a GOOD
ortarmaker's hoe. By this process the fiber
Gus and porous parts are comminuted, SO that
the whole is made into mortar like that used
in brickmaking. 1t is then forced into moulds
at the bottom, which are carried out at an end
less belt. and the peat bricks are taken by
hand and spread on the ground to dry.
This machine costs six hundred dollars, occu-
pies space of five feet by fifteen, requires
about four-horse power to drive it, and needs
seven men, three boys and two horses to tend
it. cutting the peat, carting it to the works,
and spreading the wet blocks on the ground.
The other processes of turning baking and
stacking or housing are done at odd hours
when the machine is not running. The blocks
will frIyp IN hrT.r. rrol. ....l,A
but will become better, like wood, by seasoning
for six months. They are not injured by being
rained on, but are better looking if housed
without wetting The whole establishments
including machine, engine and buildings, will
cost two or three thousand dollars, and will
make ten tons of dry fuel per day for hum
dred days or more in the season, at a cost for
labor of less than So per ton. If two or more
machines are set up together, the cost to each,
of the building and working, will be less.
Peat machines are now in operation in Maine,
MASSACHUSETTS,, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, Virginia, Wisconsin and Illinois.
This is enough to set farmers, manufacture
ers and spectators to look after peat deposits,
all over the country. The formation OF peat
generally takes place in depressed surface
nearly or quite surrounded with rim of rock
or dry soil. Il seems to require the effect of
standing water. Sometimes bed of peat is so
wet and soft that it has to be dipped out and
thrown upon the ground to dry, before it can
be handled. Most generally it is oyer-grown
with coarse grass or sedge, sometimes with al
ders, or even large trees. If the ground shakes
as you walk over it, there is probably peat be-
low, and one way to determine the presence of
peat is by thrusting a pole into the bog. If the
pole penetrates easily, there is promise of
peat. Observe what sticks to the pole, and if it
is soft and smooth, and feels greasy, it is peat.
Run gun barrel or other long tube into it, and
push out what it brings up, leaving the layers
unbroken as much as possible. When it is
partly dry, see if it cuts like cheese and when
fully dry, if it cuts like chocolate Mash it
with the blade of knife and see if it is free
from grit. Try if it will burn freely, and OBJ
serve how much ash it leaves Pare off the
grass and fibrous material from the top a foot
deep or more, and then cut some blocks with
the spade, the size of bricks, and dry and try
them, and if they will burn in the crate, or in
heap out of DOORS they are peat if they burn
with but little smoke and down to light ashes
they are good peat If you have only muck,
so poor in carbon as to burn imperfectly, it is
worthless as peat. Unless the signs are very
clear, and the experiments quite satisfactory
it will be prudent to have the place examined
by somebody who understands peat or at least
to send some specimens to an expert to be test
ed, before going to the expense of setting up
machinery to work it. A good test is to cut up
few cords in blocks, dry them, and use them
for fuel in your house; you will then see how
clearly they burn and how much heat they
yield