The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-18

PETRoLErM-How THE BORING Is DoNE.-In
commencing a well, the first thing to do Is to
erect the derrick. This is 4 frame work of
wood, in pyramdal shape, built of two-inch
plank or scantling, forming four posts, made
strong by means Of cross braces at lnterfals-
saw ten feet square at the base and four or five
top is attached pulley block; below, Oh one
side, is shaft, on one end of which is fixed a
pulley, and on the other " bull wheel The
engine is now placed and the boring COM
menced, in the same manner and by the same
instruments us an artesian well. The boring
instrument is attached to Il rope OF one and
one-half inches III diameter, passing up and
over the pulley block and down and around
the wheel shaft, where u man stands The
man holds the rope "taut,o and the action OF
the engine raises the boring tool, which, when
high enough, he drops. The debris is taken out
with sand pump. The boring, however, is
often done by using q long log as lever, one
man standing upon it and causing II 10 move up
and down, and another turning the boring
instrument round and round, SO us to make
round hole, the boring instrument III TINS case
being merely piece Of steel about as sharp rs
pick-axe, and requiring frequent repairs
The petroleum springs and wells near Ran
COON, in the Birmah empire, are said by Silnms,
In his history of Ava, to have produced 100000
hogsheads of petroleum each year for three
hundred years. There can he but little doubt
that the great lake of Asphaltnm, i'll the Island
of Trinidad, contains naught but the residiuum
of petroleum, the volatile parts having been
driven off by the heat OF tropical sun, after it
burst its rocky letters and was thrown upon
the surface.
There is reason TO believe that there lies hid
den in the earth vast supplies OF petroleum
that more is being elaborated by nature that
the supply cannot be easily exhausted This
reasoning is deduced from our knowledge OF the
extent of the coal fields of this country, and the
hypothesis that all coal was once oil. An illu
minating fluid like that made from the present
petroleum of commerce, called kerosene, is also
produced from bituminous coal and the resi-
dunn of the petroleum still, where kerosene is
made, is black substance resembling that
coal.
A writer on this subject says: . The markets
for this oil are being extended daily, as are the
uses TO which 1t is put. Soon ii will be in
demand at every port in the world for various
purposes besides that of illumination If this
be true the price will increase and there is rea
son TO believe thatit will soon command price
far above any il has yet reached. Four years
since, this oil, which now brings readily from
ten dollars TO fifty dollars per barrel, depend
ing upon quality, was sold for mere song
1t was then an article almost unknown. 1t is
now known and appreciated in every country
and among every people known 10 civilization,
~ the cheapest and most admirable article for
There can be but little doubt ms to the
aecreasins of gs' role, increasing instead OF
the cass the demand will be greater. If this
sh0 ~, tne price Will go on steadily increas-
INF until 1t reaches u point where n will he
balanced by the cost OF making oil, from coal
AHoauy riVahhg the production of cold nm
TINS continent, IL has exceeded that oS cal
wniieit bids fair to equal In its value for az,
P0I, the great cotton crop of the country. and
employed in the production of these commodi'
ties, that Of petroleum is yet In Its infanay
The value OF the crude oil ut the wells i'm The
snango county oil region for 1864 was about
ary millions dollars. Can 1t be that our own
secnon OF Virginia, 50 rich In coal, has none
% tnis precious oilr We hope soon TO chroni.
Richmond. Aiis' VI