Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-06-27
Agricultural.
Coal Tar.
SIDEWALKS, PATHS, FLOORS. ET-.

There is probably no material more COM
monty known and at the same time so little
understood as the product of the destiuc-
tive disiillation of coal for the manufacture
of gas. known as Coal Tar or Gas Tar.
Until within few years coal tar was
considered ONO value in fact, it wa com
monty esteemed disa.reeable refuse. aHd
as such was allowed TO discharge Itself into
rivers and creeks, near which gas works
were built, when practicable, to avoid the
expense of its removal.
This black. offensive substance has how
ever, been found TO possess certain proper
ties singularly different from, and far more
valuable. than those of tar produced from
wood, peat and earth OILS. which have
always had n commercial value. and it has
in many ways been made TO conduce large
ly TO the welfare OF mankind
From this unpromising substance. which
seemed to possess only the property of de-
cling whatever it came in contact wth
'Aniline." the most brilliant and powerful
coloring matter known, i produced.
When properly distilled the products 81
coal tar are first light oi or uaphiha;
second heavy pitch resembling 3Sphal-
tum.
he Naphtha j. used for many purposes
in place OF spirits of turpentinc and hcu-
zine. as u solvent in the manufacture OF
varnisb, etc, for which purposes it j. ~i,-
perior TO henzine aud other similar naph-
tha<.
The Dead ou-the nou-drymg principle
of the tar-is Of little valHe, excepting.
perhaps. for fuel. II is used for this pur-
pose in the manufacture Of gia>~ and in
furnaces where an intense heat j. required.
CarboIic acid possessing anti>eptIc prop
critics similar to creo>otc. exists ln Cou>ld-
cradle quantities in this o., which renders
il useful - a disi1fcctaut.
Tie Pitch, sometimes called asphatuil.
.or which il is for many uses. valuable
substitute. Is the article generally known
As roofing pitch. IL differs from true A.
phatum in being inferior in durability,
strength. and flneness Of texture. II VIII
partially dccompo>e and disintesratc hY
the joint action of water and ar, whereas
the true asphaltum will withstand expo
ure for ag ;.
This pitch can be made of almost any
degree OF hardness, and. when combined
while warm with the light oil or naPiha.
orms an excellent cheap, black varui>h,
valuable as an ornamental coating for met
al>, free fran the pyroiguous acid Of coal
tar. which i destructive 90 many OF them.
ROOFS.
Roofing material i formed by the addi-
ton Of resinous gums" to the varnish al
ready described (the mixture of pitch and
light oil giving il body somewhat like
boiled oil. but being free from all acids.
without the tendency 10 injure fabrics like
iinsced and other oils, it viii render them
waterproof This composition can he ap-
piled cold. Ike paint. and forms 4 valuable
and desirable coating for canvass. felt and
other foundations for roofing. and j. also a
desirable coating for metals and metal
roofs. \ material Of this nature with the
addition of crusted or ground asbestos is
now manufaciured-ihe asbestos .iyin. "a
degree Of toughnes> and durability. A.
owing to it, fibrou> nature. II firms Kind
OF waterproof felt on any surface to which
it Is applied. l.eaky roofs are covered
with this material. which gives promise Of
supplying a great desdcratum. ii j. man
uiaciured into a roofing material on com a..
and looks much Ike leather or oil-clock-
COMPOSITION wALKs AND ROADS.
There are great many methods OF form
ing pavements for walks and roads with
asphaltum, rosin, pitch, Southern and coal
tar. etc. in connection with wooden blocks
shells. gravel and sand; but the simplest.
and on the whole most desirable. because
the cheapest and most easily constructed.
may be made with crude coal tar. and no
patent on the recipe. follows
ror srnr-Iy.tKs A~n rams
IN scraenfurr FREE. from sfnt5.. and ,ri,-
thoroughly with the tar in this same man
uer rs when mixing mortar, using rs much
sand as can be worked into the tar. which
viii then be in A proper condition 20 sprcad
easily: die A trench of the desired width.
to s inches deep. and fill evenly with
stones to within two inches of the level OF
tho oround. then iii all ipt.rs,ices viii,
,narse oravcl forming amodara,,Iv smooth
tomndafion over which nonr ~uf,icien, ,,r
~ mi nm amy snares The object i In
cernent the Gravel Affer tbis. cover y,Itl,
the tarredssand To \ dcnfb OF abouf I /. -,
inches anil smooth Ia H., r.,,r;red shsr-