Average temperature of whole four hours, 1.793°.

The falling off of temperature at the third hour of the charge may be attributed to a fresh charge of coke in the furnace fire, which was made just before that time; but the decline in temperature at the fourth hour, or at the end of the charge, when it is commonly supposed the retort would attain its maximum heat, is not so easily accounted for.

The yield of gas per pound of coal, during this experiment, was 5.34 per lb.; 11,962 cubic feet per ton of 2240 lbs.; and the production of the bench in 24 hours, 44,214 cubic feet.

By reason of the small consumption at the date of this experiment, four benches were somewhat in excess, and three as much behind our needs. To obviate the necessity, therefore, of missing charges on account of filling our holders, the plan was adopted of reducing the charges of coal in each bench to as much as would yield the requisite amount of gas, and the amount at that time used, 230 lbs. to each retort, was largely behind what the benches would carbonize, if necessity required.

It will plainly be seen, therefore, that as far as the average, or common amount of work performed by the retorts, the above experiment was in no degree a fair statement. To remedy this, and obtain results when the retorts were carbonizing, the charge of coal customarily used, viz: 260 lbs. (although at the present date 270 lbs. are being used), another series of experiments were inaugurated on July 24th, after the bench had fair time to attain an increased temperature necessary to carbonize the additional quantity of coal.

In this experiment, dry Penn coal was used entirely, to more nearly attain the same conditions under which similar experiments mentioned before had been performed. The same bench as before was selected and the same retorts, the exceptions being a charge of 260 lbs. of coal instead of 230 lbs., as before.

The results obtained by this latter experiment, were as follows:

Temperature 1⁄2 hour after charging,

1.632°

Average temperature of whole four hours, 1969°.

In this case the furnace was refilled on the second hour of the charge, with but a small decline in temperature, as compared with the previous experiment, and also, the temperature was sustained to its maximum till the end of the charge.

The amount of coal used in this instance, as before mentioned, was 260 lbs. of dry Penn, (run of the pile) to each retort. For whole bench, 1560 lbs; yield per pound, 5.59; per ton, 2240 lbs., 12,522 cubic feet. Production of bench in twenty-four hours, 52,322 cubic feet.

The following deductions are made from these results :-Extreme variation of temperature in first experiment, 516°; in second experiment, 547°, showing that although 13 per cent. more coal was used, the additional temperature was but 6 per cent. while the increased production was 18 per cent. In each instance the amount of coke used in twenty-four hours, per bench, was fifty bushels, or 41 per cent. of the whole amount manufactured per bench in twenty-four hours.

THE PRESIDENT-The next paper, and the last, is that by Mr. C. A. White; but before proceeding with that, I wish to

say here that it is proposed in the morning, as the names of the members are called, to ask them to state the amount of capital paid in by their companies, so that we may know the amount of capital represented here. I see no reason why any member should object to that, as we don't ask for the indebtedness, or bonds, or any thing but the amount of capital paid in; but if any member does object, he need not tell what the amount is, of course.

Mr. C. A. White, of Rochester, then read the following paper on the

CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF WORKS:

Valuable papers have been read before the Association, at its previous meetings, on the selection or choice of site for the location of works, and have been the means of bringing out rich thoughts that have benefitted all. Perhaps, no one of us but has been repaid, and amply so, for the time devoted to study and practical research, which its discussion necessitated.

The question is one of deep moment, not alone to us into whose hands its oversight must fall, but to those who are more intimately connected with its construction; involving, as it does, the matter of economy, in building, of manufacture, and dealing especially with the pressure necessary for distribution. These are, indeed, questions of depth and weight, and, as such, cannot be thrown lightly aside when we are called upon to consider the subject of construction.

But, while this is strictly true, have we not overlooked, what may have seemed a minor point to many of us, that after our site has been chosen, our works have been erected, and we are ready to begin business, we have never given the matter of management and care of our works a single thought.

We have prepared, argued and debated, time and again, the major premises of construction, and, without ever thinking of the minor premise of management-have endeavored to force a logical conclusion of results.

No point can be logically argued without its premises, nor can results be laid down or premised without, not alone study and thought, but practical knowledge derived from both, as to the proper manner of managing our works.

The subject of care and management of works appears, upon first thought, to be simple in the extreme, in fact, too much so to warrant the consideration of the Association, and yet, the the longer we dwell upon it, the deeper we endeavor to fathom it, the grander the subject becomes, until it assumes the almost colossal proportions of being the one thing absolutely essential for the success of a gas company.

While I do not propose to give the plan pursued by myself, nor to dictate to you, gentlemen, the manner in which your works shall be conducted; for modesty forbids the one, and to pursue the other course would be presumptuous, I do wish to bring the subject before you as one that I deem worthy of the greatest consideration.

In the review of our subject, the retort house presents itself as the first and the essential point. Upon our care in the initial step in the process of manufacture, depends our success; so much so is this the case, that the retort house may well be termed the keystone of our profession, for, though work well done there, may be, to a certain extent, impaired in the processes of washing, condensing, etc., nothing in the latter stages of manufacture can be done that will recover what may have been lost by neglect at the beginning.

Newbigging has well placed among his golden rules "Keep up the heats in the retort house;" and high heats are now almost universally acknowledged to be one of the great essentials in the destructive distillation of coal; producing larger returns per pound of coal carbonized, and yet, at the same time, has its evil attendants.

In addition to the heats, I deem economy in the work of the retort house a matter of the highest moment, and one most likely to bring about tangible results. I do not mean that false economy that shuts the spigot and leaves open the bung-hole. I do not mean that we shall pay our men niggardly wages, but I do mean that we should dispense with all useless and superflous men, that we shall pay those we retain fair, living wages, and exact in return therefor, an honest day's labor; for, while in the former case our yields may be good, the wages of the men employed adds materially to the cost of production; while in

the latter case we have a fair yield, with but a small labor roll; and it is possible to have good heats with but few men, as they then have an opportunity to do their work thoroughly, the result is not a falling off in manufacture, but an increase, and that at a reduced cost.

But this is not to be obtained without honest endeavor upon our part: We cannot entirely trust the key of our position to our laborers, be they ever so competent or worthy. Nature makes us imitative creatures, and, being such, if we who are in charge of works give, as it were, a passing thought thereto; if, as in case with too many of us, we merely take a morning and afternoon stroll through our retort house; our men being, as I said, imitative, will soon feel that we are not deeply concerned in its management, and will drop into a slow, come-easy style of work, which cannot fail of proving detrimental to the interests committed to our charge. On the contrary, do they see we are alert, calling them strictly to account for any direliction of duty, they will soon feel that their interest and ours are common, and will work earnestly for their advancement.

It is not possible, in the limits of such a paper, to mention all the devices and plans which have arisen, for the purpose of increasing the results in the retort house, nor is it my intention to dwell upon them, be they good or bad; for though many have been tried in the balance, and found wanting, many yet find admirers.

There is, however, not a doubt in my mind but that, wherever practicable, improved machinery, that has been thoroughly tested and proven good, should be introduced as tending to lessen the cost of manufacture; but, so far, there has been a great hesitancy on all sides to abandon the bridge, which has so far carried us safely, and launch out upon a vast sea of uncertainty; we are in this respect much like unto the children of Israel, crying out for a Joshua to lead us.

Those of you who have been ever led to experiment with any "improved processes" for the carbonizing of coal, or improved apparatus for scrubbing, condensing, etc., etc., know full well that the great drawback which has prevented your arriving at any safe or honest conclusion as to its value, is the fact that