All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

3oo All About Inventions found to be comparable with that derived from the distillation of coal. The more enterprising oil-seekers thereupon trapped this gas and led it to the furnaces of their pumping plants, thereby inducing the well to furnish its own power to enable the oil to be tapped. But such huge volumes of gas were obtained that it could not all be consumed even in this manner. Thereupon it was decided to distribute the article, which was suitable for power, beat, and light, through mains, in the manner of coal-gas, and to supply it to one and all who felt so disposed to take avail of this convenience. For a time this enterprise languished : the value of the gas from the general point of view failed to meet with appreciation. The ingenious development was saved, however, by manufacturers stepping in and purchasing the new fuel. It was cheaper than coal, and more convenient to handle. Once the value of the article had become realised and public confidence in the regularity of the supply was gained, the consumption of natural gas, as it is called, went ahead by leaps and bounds. To-day, in the United States, it constitutes a serious rival to coal-gas, and in many instances is pumped from loo to 150 or more miles from an oil-field, where it is not required, to some humming centre where it is in urgent demand. The city of Chicago, which is a large consumer of natural gas, draws its supplies from a point over 120 miles away. As a matter of fact, natural gas ranks as sixth in importance among the natural resources of the United States, which serves to convey an adequate idea of its value and popularity. In Canada, too, it is rising in favour. This applies