you the result of the working of the bench of retorts which I erected
three years ago on the Siemens system. As I stated last year, my
experience up to that time had not been altogether a happy one, but one
of sunshine and cloud alternately. I am glad to be able to say, however,
that since then I have had nothing but the utmost satisfaction in the
working of the regenerative settings. The chief difficulties I have
before experienced were of a mixed nature--choked ascension pipes,
entailing considerable loss of gas; the choking of the orifices from
which the secondary heated air issued to join the producer gas; and the
eating away, in a "scooped-out" sort of fashion, of the brick lining of
the producers at the points where the primary air entered. These, I am
pleased to be able to say, I am now completely clear of; and this has
had the effect of converting what was before a considerable source of
annoyance and anxiety into as perfect a working bench of retorts as any
one could desire.

The results I have obtained have caused me much surprise, being far in
excess of anything I ever anticipated; and the saving effected will
materially assist in compensating for the greatly reduced value of
residuals. I may state that I have used 30 per cent. of fuel on an
average, saved from 25 to 30 per cent. on stokers' wages, and increased
my production of gas per ton of coal; while the regularity of the heats
was a pleasure to look upon.

As showing what I have been able to accomplish, I will give you a few
details. I was able regularly to produce 10,000 cubic feet of gas per
mouthpiece in 24 hours--the size of my retorts being 18 by 13 inches by
9 feet long, inside measure; and on a sudden dullness coming on, with an
increase of first class cannel I produced from 33 retorts 357,000 cubic
feet, or at the rate of 11,500 feet per mouthpiece in 24 hours. With 32