Year: 1865

The Philadelphia Inquirer of yesterday con
tains the following very sensible article on the
subject of fuel:


The extraordinary increase in the price of
coal within few years is bearing very seri
ously upon many interests. 1t adds to the eX-
pense of manufactures and processes which
depend partially upon the action of steam ma
chinery. 1t increases the household expenses
OF families in moderate circumstances to an
extent which is very seriously felt, whilst upon
the poor the results during the coming winter
will be unpleasant to anticipate. In every
class Of society the advance in the price of
fuel is considered a most important matter,
worthy Of being talked over and consulted
about in the domestic circle.


Our fuel history i'll this country is very sim
pie. Upon the settlement of the Western
wlds, the forests gave us timber at hand which
could be obtained with little trouble, and which
was available with slight preparations The
burning Of wood was the principal means by
which our food was prepared and our houses
warmed, 1t was not until lumber began to be
somewhat scarce in consequence of the i'm
mense demand for it for burning and other
purposes, that other combustible substances
came into notice. Bitumnous coal, being like
that of ''the old country and easily kindled.
was our first mineral fuel. Anthracite. in con
sequence of its hardness, and for want of pre-
cedents from the old world in ignting and
burning it, was kept out of use until long after
the country was fully established in indepen-
dence, and was advancing rapidly to pros
perity.


The history of anthracite coal as Il fuel in
the United States is one of not more than forty
five years old, and thirty five years are the
limits of the time since it become favoraby
regarded. In that time it has become almost
of universal use, so that wood fire in CITY,
and in many parts of the country is a rarity
But if coal becomes, as it is feared it is now,
the subject of a monopoly, oppressive against
consumers and inordinate in its demands, the
question will become natural what means are
there of escaping from the imposition. 1t has
been frequently noticed that when the world is
in distress, in consequence of the stoppage or
interruption of a necessary supply, some happy
discovery is made which introduces a new sub
stance equally useful with that which has been
lost or diminished. Such an experience it
would seem we are to have in relation to fuel.
A new substance to us, as a fuel, but old in
other parts Of the world, will probably be
brought into our markets III peat.


In Ireland the burning of peat or turf, is an
ancient custom, and to the poorer classes this
fuel has been most valuable. Very large de-
posts Of it are known to be in existence in
various parts of the United States, but as long
as coal could be furnished cheaply. there was
no inducement to develop this source Of wealth
But recently the attention Of the owners of
these peat deposits has been directed to the
subject Of making this substance available
1t exists in large beds in the New England
States, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and
other localities. In New York. upon Long
Island, and near Oswcgo, companies are now
at work in the bogs cutting out the peat and
drying it, with an intention of making mcr-
chandsc of it. This substance is used in some
places in the West with satisfactory results
1t throws ont good heat, and is nearly as vau-
able as anthracite. We sincerely hope that
the experiments now being made may succeed,
and that thereby there may be an opportunity
to reduce coal to something like a reasonable
price.