The Arizona sentinel., 1888-07-14
NATURAL GAS IN CHINA.
The Fire Pits and Brine Wells Operated
 by Chinese Cotporatiobs'

by Chinese CotporatIobs'
 Mr. Charles Denby, United States Minister to China, sends the State De- partment some interesting information about natural gas and its use in that country It is found in Sz'chwan, near a town called Tsz-lin-tsing. In an area of twenty-seven Ii (nine miles) diameter salt wells are found. Tc make d well the Chinese use a long and elastic bamboo pole, supported in the middle by a cross piece, a rope made by coupling the ends Of long (not twisted) slices of bamboo; and an iron instrument which weighs 120 tatties tcatty equals II pounds). The rope is fastened on the end of the pole, and the iron on the end of the rope. A slight up and down motion of the thick end of the pole makes the iron hop and bore vertical hole with its broad, sharpened edge. The ground to be perforated consists Chiefly of sand- stone and clay: When a portion of the rock is mashed clear water is poured into the hole, a long bamboo tube with a valve in the bottom is lowered and the turbid water raised to the top. Pipes of cypress wood are rammed in to protect the sides of the bored hole and to prevent the water contained in the surrounding ground from getting access to the well; the pipes are attached to each other at the ends with nails; hemp aRd tung oil! The inner width of the pipes Is about 5 inches. As the work proceeds the pipes are rammed deeper, and a new one attached on the top; the rope, too, is made longer. At a depth varying from 70 to 100 chang (700 to 1000 feet) the brine is struck, and the well is fit for use. The brine is raised to the top through long bamboo tubes and bamboo ropes, as described, by means of a horse-whim, and then car ried to large pans for evaporation, or led to them through bamboo pipes.
 Besides these wells there are others, which are bored to the depth of from 1,S00 to 2;0O0 feet. At that distance below the surface petroleum is struck: Immediately on reaching it an infant mable gas escapes with great violence: Work is now stopped, and wooden cap fastened over the mouth of the pit, perforated by several rows of round holes. In each of them a bamboo pipe is inserted, and through these the gas is led under the evaporating pans. The pipes ramify, and on each end taper ing mouthpiece, terminating in small aperture, is attached. The gas is then Used for eyaporating the brine.
 The enterprls1ng 5pIr1r which 1r- duced the Chinese to examine the ground at so great depth is said to have its origin in the drying up Of a brine pit. The proprietor was in hopes of meeting brine at greater depth, but found instead the gas.
 When the country was infested with rebels during the Taiping rebellion. they removed the cap from one of the gas pits and set fire to it. Since that time long column of fire has risen from that pit, and it is considered nearly impossible to stop the flame,
 The gas pits and brine pits are owned separately by corporations. The owners are subjected to the control Of the government. The government monopoly is in the hands of the ''Taotai," |" who resides at the place. The salt works of Tsz-lin-tsing yield considerable revenue to the govern- ment, and have besides enriched numerous proprietors, and give oc- cupation to a numerous population. The number of fire pits is twenty four, and the salt pits are innumerable. Some of them do not enjoy the advan- tages of gas. The brine is evaported with grass and wood Washington Letter.