Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

Ex. Doc] Reports of the Inspectors op Mines. 135
measured regularly each week, l)ut the rule is that the measurements are
made at irregular intervals of from three to twelve days. The mine boss
ought to measure the air much ot'tener than once per week for his own in-
formation, and where there is much inflammable gas evolved, he should have
an anemometer ever at hand to ascertain the amount of air conducted to
each working place, so as to be sure that the proportion of air and gas is
not in an explosive state. If proper interest were taken, and proper care
exercised in this respect, most of the explosions which now occur would
and we would never meet with instances of explosions occur-
be averted ;
ring to open the eyes of the mine boss for the first time that there is gas
in a place. As it is, some poor unfortunate person must get burned by an
explosion before the mine boss is aware of the existence of gas in their
mines, and this is the only wa}'' many of them have to find it out. The
operators ought to be compelled to provide an anemometer for every mine
boss, and then the mine boss ought to be compelled to use it so that he
would have no excuse for his ignorance relative to the condition of the
ventilation of any part of the mines under his charge.
The Water Gauge.—No mines should be without a water gauge, for,
unless the mine boss has one, he cannot well get along. The friction of
tlie air in its passage through the mines is a subject that demands tlie
study and attention of the mine boss continuall}', and the water gauge
will assist him to find its amount. And when he finds the water gauge
high, he is at once assured that there is something radically wrong with
his air courses. He is then led to examine them, when he will invariably
find that they are narrow, irregular, unshapely, and obstructed ; and then
he can apply the remedy. This instrument is so cheap that the cost can-
iiot be the reason that there is not one at every mine. Indifference is the
only excuse that there are so few of them to be found.
The Barometer.—The barometer is almost entirely wanting, but sev-
eral have provided themselves with this instrument during the last few
months, and several others have promised to do so soon. Without a ba-
rometer there is no way to ascertain the amount of the atmospheric pres-
sure, nor its variable and frequent sudden changes ; and this again is an
important factor to be considered, if we would be masters of the situation.
Those having cliarge of the ventilation of mines should know exaetl}^
what the useful effect of their ventilators will be under all conditions of the
atmosphere. It matters not what the mode of ventilation may be, wiiether
it be produced by furnace, fan, or any otlier mechanical means, or whether
it be natural ventilation, the pressure of the atmosphere is always impor-
tant to be taken into careful and intelligent consideration.
The Thermometer.—The use of this instrument is so well understood
that it needs no comment ; and still there are but very few of them in use
at our collieries. The excuse advanced for the scarcity of barometers and
anemometers, i. e., that they cost too much, cannot be an excuse for not
liaving theremometers and water gauges. A good self registering there-