The Velocity of Blast-Furnace Gas

THE Lake Superior blast-furnaces probably represent the maximum economy of fuel possible in this country. They smelt an ore which is very rich and easily reducible, and as the small amount of gangue present is not all silica, but in part a silicate, the amount of limestone required is a minimum. The average yield of the ore treated at six furnaces was 63 per cent., and the average quantity of limestone 179 pounds per ton of pig. The fuel used is charcoal, so burned as to retain most of the combustible volatile part, which, before the utilization of furnace-gas, was burned away. With these conditions it is not surprising that the Lake Superior charcoal practice is extraordinary in almost every respect. In any scientific discussion of American furnace work, the establishments there will be found at the head of the list, and they work under conditions which are extremely favorable for careful study. The Bay Furnace, near Marquette, has the honor of carrying "the broom" for the largest daily make. With a capacity of 1908 cubic feet it has, for months together, produced 29 tons of pig, graded at