Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-06-15
THIS AND ADJOINING STATES
HAVE SUFFICIENT TO HEAT
AND LIGHT NATION.
ALMOST EQUAL TO COAL
FOR FUEL PURPOSES
Government Station Reports Result. Of
Exhaustive Experiments in Prspar.
ing Product for Fuel and a. substi-
tuts for wood-Industry Has Promi.-
ing Future.

Washington, June 15.-Peat bogs in
northern Iowa, the eastern Dakotas
and score of other states can supply
sufficient fuel to operate the light,
heat and power plants of the cities and
towns in those states, according to an
investigation that has just been COM
pleted by the United States geological
survey.
Government experts estimate the
value Of the peat deposits in these
states at more than thirty eight bill
lion dollars-more money than is in
vested in all the property. stock, imple-
ments and buildings owned by the
farmers of the United States-and yet
the use of peat as fuel in this coun-
try Is but little known except in a few
localities.
With the coal supply being used at a
tremendous rate, the government ex-
perts expect peat to become most i'm
portant auxiliary fuel which will aid
in the conservation of the coal supply
itself. The states containing the
greatest amount of peat in addition to
Iowa and the Dakotas are Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio, New York. the New England
states. New Jersey, parts Of Virginia,
North and South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida, where the millions of dollars
worth of this fuel lies undeveloped as
yet in swamps and bogs.
Peat boys as rule are found in re-
gions far removed from coal fields. Its
value now is estimated by the geologi-
cal expert at So a ton and 1t is equal
as fuel to the lower grades of soft
coal. The development of the peat de-
posts near those towns and cities now
distant from coal mines will result in
their obtaining fuel for manufacturing
purposes on an equal basis with towns
In the mining districts. This Is ex-
pected to result in great boom to the
industries of the peat districts.
Taking Peat Inventory.
The geological survey is now under
taking thorough investigation of the
peat resources of the country, not only
as to the amount of peat and its Local
ton, but also as to its uses. The burn
ing Of peat for power, heat or light is
but one of Its many uses. according to
Prof. Charles A. Davis of the tech
nologic branch, who has charge of the
Investigations. The by-products of
great value include coke, illuminating
oils. lubricating oils, paraffin wax
phenol, asphalt. wood alcohol, acctic
acid. ammonium sulphate and com-
bustible gases Of good fuel value.
II used for fuel gas there is enough
nitrogen stored in the peat resources of
the country to supply 644,000,000 tous
with value of $36,000.000,000 in addi-
ton to the gas. Peat is capable of
furnishing potential substitutes for
wood in various departments Of in
dustry and may relieve to a consider
able extent the drain upon the vanish
ing forests. Paper is now being made
from peat in Michigan. Possibly per
cent Of the total peat in the United
States. or 644.400.000 tons, is suitable
for the manufacture of coarse paper
and pasteboard which will reduce the
consumption of wood by whatever
amount 1t displaces wood pulp in the
manufacture Of such articles.
Another development in the line OF
peat industry" says Prof Robert H
Fernald, consulting engineer in charge
Of gas producing tests for the govern
ment, sis the use Of peat in by-product
recovery gas plants, which promises
splendid returns. From these plants
both gas for power and sulphate OF
ammonia can be obtained in CONNER
Nfo11Vy no r,,,o nj
ization Of peat for producer gas and fol
are perfectly feasible with American
peat.
Little Inferior to Coal.
THE operation Of gas engine at the
experiment plant on peat in one or two
tests has shown that this fuel is but
little inferior to many grades of soft
coal now on the market and superior to
some in the quantity Of power gas pro-
duced." reports Prof. Davis. II believe
the day is coming soon when cities To-
Gated near the peat bogs and away
from the coal fields will obtain their
power and light from peat. I under
stand that Florida is to have a power
plant soon that will use peat as fuel
and will transmit the electricity to
Jacksonville.
in the development of this indus
try. however, it must be remembered
that peat contains from IS. to 80 pc.
cent water as 1t comes from the boys
AL but Is or 20 per cent can be dried
out by exposure Of the peat to the air
In burning peat in gas producers to
make power gas, this peat will burn
successfully with 10 per cent moisture
which is impossible in furnace. The
installation of the power plant in the
bog or at the mine has been advocated
in this country by the technologie
branch of the survey for installation OF
several thousand horse power only, We,
this principle is applied in Sweden to
small plants and may be feasible in
certain parts Of this country. In Ire
There Is