St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-12
THIS will be working day for the
grand jury. 1t is d Tavorite day for
some events. 1t is Friday.
PEAT FOR FUEL.

The use of peat as fuel throughout
this section of country is again attract
ing wide attention. On our wide prai-
ries wood is out of the question, be.
cause of its scarcity and high price,
while coal, except the cheaper and in
ferior qualities. is beyond the reach Of
the masses, because of the excessive
transportation charges. There are in
Minnesota extensive beds of peat that
might be utilized for domestic and man
ufacturing purposes, and an organized
movement is in progress having for its
purpose the introduction of this fuel.
In Europe peat is extensively used,
both in the household and the factory.
1t burns slowly and emits an intense
heat, and is. besides, more Clearly than
coal. 1t is cheaper than coal. even in
the coai-minihg regions. But the peat
of Ireland, England and Germany is of
a different quality from that found in
| Minnesota. The chief objection to Min
nesota peat is tie noXlous smell while
burning. 1t stinks as badly as COM
post heap, and thus far no process has
| been devised by means of which this
| objection may be removed. But there
| seems to be no good reason why inven-
| ton should not remedy this defect, pro.
| vided the reward promised shall be
sufficient.
The supply Of peat Is ineXhaustible.
| 1t will serve the necessities of the coun-
| try for centuries to come. But it is as
| yet scarcely touched, and for the reason
| stated Is practically unavailable. The
| 60
it will be absolutely necessary for our
! people to place their dependence upon
the peat beds. Wood is becoming
scarcer and coal dearer year by year.
The cost of winters supply of fuel is
becoming the most serious matter in
| tue affairs of every household. Coal
bins have a disagreeable habit Of be-
! coming empty Just at the time when
| tine price of the article is the dearest
and the pocketbook the leanest. The
high price of fuel of every description
| hereabouts ought to stimulate the en-.
| terprise of those who are interested in
the development of the peat industry,
tor, aside from the fact that the utiliz-
| ing of the product would relieve a great
public necessity, the promise of profit is
the most fiattering. Even in its present
imperfect condition peat could be used
in many classes of manufacturing in
places where the stencil from the CHM
neys would cause the least public dis.
comfort; but, robbed of this offensive
ness, it might come into use generally,
and cheaper the expenses of the home,
the business house and the manufact-
DRY.
The GLOBE is pleased to learn that
he owners of some of the largest peat
marshes in Minnesota and Wisconsin
contemplate Offering a liberal reward
to the man who shall invent a success
full process for consuming peat without
subiecting those in the neighborhood to
annoyance from its disagreeabIe odors.
Invention has already succeeded in per-
tecting process by which garbage may
be consumed without emitting an odor.
Why cannot similar process be en-
ployed in furnaces where peat is used
as fuel?
| The subject is one of great impor-
lance to the future of this part of the
country. With cheap fuel our develop
ment will be steady and rapid. At the
present prices it is almost ipnassihls to