The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-03-22
THE OIL SMELLER.
A New Industry in the Petroleum Regions
of BrnnsNlNnnIn.

Of Pennsylvania.
The oil business has developed "a
new industry within the past few
months, which, in point Of expert
knowledge required is more important
than any other connected with tho
petroleum trade. This is the business
Of finding rich oil pools. This is en-
tirely distinct from the work Of the
"oil scout" business that has for
some years been obsolete. The duty
OF the oil scout was TO report To ms
employer on the floor Of the Oil EX-
change the probable production OF "a
new well that the trade was watching.
so that the employer could make his
deals on the market accordingly
New wells have ceased 10 affect
values to any great extent, the occu-
patton of the scout is gone The man
who Is an expert i'm discovering "A new
oil field has now taken his place, and
the scouts have driftcd into other busi-
ness. The industry is not old enough
20 have any distinct title, but the men
engaged in it are as often rs any thing
designated rs "oil smelcrs." These
men must have "a perfect knowledge OF
the producing branch OF the oil busi-
ness. Their chief expert knowledge
must be with reference TO territory.
They must have good judgment in re-
gard to the value OF tract Of land for
oil purposes. They must have II
knowledge OF "antichnals' and other
information contributed TO the trade
by geologists. Large producing firms,
such as the Washington Oil Company,
Forrest Oil Company, Producers Con-
solidated Company, Anchor Oil Com
pany, and many individual operators,
employ tarc men TO be constantly on
the alert for tho first indication Of II
an oil field. When we'll comes in
anywhere that gives the smallest
promise of opening up n new pool mon
Of the territory as possible. All wells
drilling in new or "wild-cat" distr|2...
are watched with great vigilance.
IL is often necessary for the "oil
srncllern to visit these wells disguised
and his makeup at times would do
credit to an actor or a detective. A
common disguise is the outfit of u
hunter, and TO make il moro complete
the game is often purchased before tho
"hunter" starts out Thus equipped
he may ride II hundred miles on a rail-
road before cmbarling on a few miles
Journey over the hills TO somc well no
may be intending to look up. An "oil
smeller' does not have TO depend upon
the information given him 10y workmcn
on we'll rs TO the depth oft, or when
they expect 10 reach the oil-bcaring
rock BY the working Of the machin-
cry alone his expert eye can determine
about the depth of the hole and if the
machinery should be stopped and no
one about the premises, he can tell by
tho appearance OF tho cable that is
wound around the "full wheel shaft
BY means OF little instrument which
he carries in his pocket he can "lcvcl
up the well with other districts,
though they may be miles apart, and
determine just how many feet remain
to be drilled before the well reaches
the level where the oil ought to bc
found.
These "oil smellcrs' are familiar
with all the different sand rocks in
which oil is found, and once seeing tho
sand taken from II well they can csti-
mate the probable production, and
form very correct idea as to the char
acter ana extent of the pool. After
seeing the oil that is taken from Il new
well they can classify it rs to the dis
trict it belongs TO, or is an olTshoot Of,
and in this way also estimate the prob
able value and extent Of the new pool
These men command salaries ranging
from 1925 to $500 per month. Brad
ford (Pa.) Letter.
The nettle is cultivated in Ger
many, its fiber having proven valuable
for variety OF textile fabrics.