444 The colliery guardian. August 30, 1010. forests from near the river sources to their exit from the coal field into the flat fertile plain of the Vale of Glamorgan. Towards the end of the seventeenth century the iron- stone beds were worked at the outcrops. The fuel used for smelting was charcoal, and to supply this, the charcoal burners felled all the available timber in the valleys within a considerable radius of the smelting centres. This went on to such an extent that in the course of time, fuel ran short, and the iron industry practically ceased to exist about the year 1740. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, however, the discovery that coke could be used for smelting iron brought about a big revival in the iron industry, and a steady increase of coal production also took place as the dse of steam extended. As the valleys became popu- lated, so their trees were cleared away, until at the present time hardly a vestige remains of the past wooded grandeur of this district. The question naturally arises, is it practically possible to reclothe these valley sides with forest—not of hard wood like the old indigenous forest, but with conifers suitable for pit props, which could be used on the spot by the collieries without practically any transport cost, and so be of immense value as a timber reserve, besides adding beauty and health to the district. Of recent years a few plantations of conifers, mostly larch and Scots fir, have been planted at several places in the coal field—such as at Margam and Llanharan on the south outcrop, at Rheola and Aberpergwm, in the Neath Valley, and at Garth Maelog, in the Ely Valley. In all these plantations—and in several others—the trees have done remarkably well, and have proved the possibilities of afforestation in this district; but it is unlikely that further planting on a big scale will take place without co-operation between land owner and coal owner, with strong support from the State, which latter should give every facility and encouragement to any such scheme of afforestation. Estimating that there are at least 60,000 acres of land suitable for growing pit-prop timber within the coal field, including the sides of the valleys and the outcrop slopes of the Pennant plateau, but not the level stretches on the top of the plateau, because the ground is generally sour and peaty and very exposed. To plant this area of 60,000 acres, land owners and coal owners might co-operate in the undertaking, with advice and assistance from the State. A preliminary survey would have to be made by a joint party, with an experienced Government forestry officer in charge, from which a scheme could be worked out for planting the area. There should be many ways in which such a scheme could be carried out, and the following is given as a suggestion:—A portion of the royalty paid by the coal owner to the land owner (so many pence per ton of coal raised from under the property) might be set aside for afforestation purposes on the property concerned until the scheme became self-supporting. The land owner would provide from this sum for the surveying, planting, fencing and general upkeep. The State should make a loan to the land owner of, say, £2 per acre planted, and have a controlling interest until the loan had been paid off. As areas became ripe for felling, the Government forestry officer would, if he thought fit, give his sanction for the felling of such areas. A price would be fixed for the standing timber—so much per tree, according to the size. The coal owner, who, during the period the area was in growth would have provided for the transport of the timber by the construction of tram lines, inclines, etc., would take over the area at the agreed price, have the timber felled and sawn up in lengths to suit the particular seam for which it was required, and convey it to pithead. This scheme should satisfy all parties concerned, as although the land owner would have to make use of a portion of his royalty income for afforestation purposes without any return for at least 30 years, he would eventually get a big return, besides considerably increasing the value of his land. The coal owner would, after the first 30 years, have in reserve a good timber supply, close to his mines, which could be drawn upon at any time to suit requirements, or, in case of emergency, such as the sudden stoppage of imported timber. Between Canterbury and Dover, underlying the chalk, is the newly discovered Kent coal field. This field has had an unfortunate beginning, but is now emerging from its initial difficulties, several shafts are already winding coal in fair quantities, others are in process of sinking, and the district should, within the next 50 years, become a very large coal-producing centre. Here then, is a great opportunity to prepare a timber reserve for supplying pit wood, and suitable ground is available. Along the ridge of chalk downs between the Medway and Dover, some thirty-six miles in length, there is an area of at least 20,000 acres suitable for such a scheme of afforestation, without interfering with the existing agriculture, whilst further to the West, stretching through the neighbouring county of Sussex, is a large expanse of open down country, considerable areas of which could no doubt be made use of for the same purpose. In the event of a big afforestation scheme being decided upon in a district, it will be necessary to have ready beforehand ample nurseries to provide the necessary young trees for planting. Assuming that, when the war ends, afforestation will be taken up by the State, large areas will be allocated for planting, and there will be sufficient labour for carrying out any such scheme by disbanded soldiers, but unless pro- vision is made beforehand to have sufficient nurseries stocked with the various species of conifer seedlings, suitable for the varying conditions of ground, climate and elevation, the whole scheme, when well under way, will be liable to hang fire through lack of young trees to finish planting the areas. This matter should be thoroughly investigated by the State, and no time should be lost in doing so. The conifers which have proved most suitable for planting in this country are larch, Scots fir and spruce, all of which can be used as pitwood. Of late years two conifers suitable for pitwood have been introduced from America into this country—namely, Douglas fir and Sitka spruce—which have given excellent results, as they are hardy and their growth is rapid. Consequently, a very much quicker return should be obtained from an area planted with these two species than with any of the three previously mentioned. Sitka spruce has the additional advantage of being superior to any other for aeroplane construction, on account of its ideal combina- tion of lightness, resilience and strength. APPROVED SAFETY LAMPS. In pursuance of section 33 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, the Home Secretary has made an Order approving the following type of safety lamp, until further order, for use in all mines to which the Act applies, subject to the conditions specified. The schedules to previous Orders made under section 33 of the Act shall take effect subject to the amendments set forth in Part II. The Order may be cited as “The Safety Lamps Order of July 30, 1918.” Part I.—Electric Safety Lamp Approved for General Use. The “Fuller” Miners’ Electric Safety Lamp. The “ Fuller” Miners’ Electric Safety Lamp, the general design of which is shown in the fig., possesses the following essential features: — (1) A battery case of spun or drawn sheet steel, with a protecting covering of nickel or tin. (2) A cover of steel or brass, screwed to the case and forming a flame-tight joint therewith. The cover j CONTACTS <>M UNDERSIDE OF LAMPHOLDER HALF SECTION OF LAMP. BASE MAGNETIC LOCK FROM INSIDE OF CASE COVER IN SECTION. The “ Fuller ” Miner’s Electric Safety Lamp. is fitted with—(i) A magnetic lock so constructed that the plunger can only be drawn by applying the pole of a powerful electro-magnet to the top of the lock. Holes are provided in the lock cover to admit of the bolt being oiled or greased without removal; (ii) A bulb-holder, mounted on an ebonite base-plate, through which electrical connection is made to contact plates on the under side. The ebonite base-plate, to- gether with a protecting glass for the bulb, upper and lower reflectors and rubber washers, is held in position in the cover by a screwed ring; (iii) Pro- tecting pillars, crown and handle. (3) An electrical accumulator of the Fuller Block type, fitted with spring terminals of large area, which establish electrical connection with the bulb through the contact plates in the ebonite base-plate. A dummy contact separates the “ on ” and “off” positions of the terminals, ensuring smooth action. The accumu- lator is so constructed that there is no escape of liquid whatever the position of the lamp, whilst allowing the free escape of gas generated by chemical action. The total weight of the lamp must not be more than 6 lb., and the strength of material and attachments throughout the lamp must not be less than in the samples submitted for official tests on May 8, 1918. The lamp must be capable of maintaining a light of not less than 1 candle-power all round in a horizontal plane throughout a period of not less than nine hours, and also of giving a light of not less than 1-5 candle- power over an arc of 45 degrees in a horizontal plane. It must have been made at the works of the Fuller Accumulator Company Limited, Chadwell Heath, London, E., and be marked with its name and the name of the maker. Part II.—Amendments to the Schedules of Previous Safety Lamps Orders. The Hailwood Lamps No. 01 and No. 01 S and Modifications thereof. The following additions shall be made to the descrip- tions of the Hailwood Lamps No. 01 and No. 01 S (Safety Lamps Order, August 26, 1913) and modifi- cations : — Paragraph (4) shall continue after the words ‘1 re- taining ring”: “the thickness of material used as washers not to exceed | in. at each joint.” Paragraph (5). The following sentence shall be added: “In magnetically locked lamps the distance between the lower edges of the ratchet locking teeth on the glass-retaining ring and the fact of the bush or bottom ring shall not exceed 9/16 in. if the length of the magnetic bolt is f in.—the usual dimension; a variation in the length of the magnetic bolt shall be met by the same variation in this distance. The length of the bolt is measured from its tip to the face of the ledge below the screw on the oil vessel.” The Joel-Eors Electric Inspection Lamp, Type 303 C. The following addition shall be made at the end of paragraph (3) of the description (Safety Lamps Ordei' of March 16, 1914) of this lamp: “ Or the cover may be locked by turning over the vertical flange piece on the loose front into a hook, and cutting a correspond- ing slot in the extended semi-circular front of the cover.” The Oldham Electric I^amp. The cases of the Oldham miners’ electric lamps may be made of seamed steel. The Patterson Type El Ijamp. The following alterations shall be made in the description of Messrs. Patterson and Company’s Type El Lamp (Safety Lamps Order of March 9, 1918): — Paragraph (1). The words, “(or aluminium if the lamp is to be used by officials only)” shall be inserted after the word “ brass.” Paragraphs (2) and (4). The words, “(or aluminium if the lamp is to be used by officials only)” shall be inserted after the word “ iron.” Paragraph (7). The following sentence shall be added at the end of the second sentence: “If perfora- tions of smaller diameter are used, their number per square inch of ventilating surface may be increased proportionately.” The “ Pearson ” Miners1 Safety Lamp* The use of a lead rivet lock is permitted. In mag- netically locked lamps the cover shall fit round the outside of the ring round the top of the battery case. * Safety Lamps Order, March 16, 1915. COAL CONCILIATION BOARD TO CONTINUE. The delegates of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain met in Southport on Friday of last week, Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., in the chair, and decided in favour of the Coal Conciliation Board being renewed for the duration of the war and six montbs afterwards, on certain conditions. The representatives of the miners on the board were authorised to enter into negotiations with the representatives of the employers, in order to secure this. The conference was attended by 80 delegates, representing 350,000 miners in Lanca- shire and Cheshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, North Wales and the Midland counties. The proposals to be submitted to the representatives of the employers provide that any future agreement shall cover all colliery workers who are members of the. Miners’ Federation within the federated area, and that “ six shifts shall be paid for five to all workmen employed on the afternoon or night shifts, subject to the proviso that wages equal to the wages payable for a shifjo and a fifth shall be paid in respect of each shift worked.” The existing war bonus of 18 per cent, calcu- lated upon present rates is to be merged into present wages, and be the basis of a future agreement. No maximum is to be fixed, and the basis upon which advances are secured is to be the current rates in opera- tion at the beginning of the agreement. Lastly, there is to be no condition, as existed in the former agree- ment, to the effect that alterations in wages should not exceed 5 per cent. Mr. T. Ashton, secretary of the workmen’s section of the board, arranged to communicate at once with Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis, secretary of the coal owners’ section. Iron and Steel Scrap Order.—The Minister of Munitions has issued an Order, dated August 20, providing that every person owning iron or steel scrap (whether metal, machinery, plant, or constructional steel or iron work) shall sell and transfer such scrap whenever required by the Controller, and that the Controller’s decision as to what is scrap shall be final. The Order further provides that if any such requirement to sell is not complied with within 30 days, the Controller may sell or transfer the scrap, the owners in that event receiving the price realised, less cost of sale. The Minister of Munitions has also issued an Order under the same date controlling cast-iron scrap, and. making an addition to the general permit dated November 1, 1916, fixing maximum prices for various grades of that material. All communications in reference to the Order and modification of permit should be addressed to the Controller of. Iron and Steel Pro- duction, Room 101, Ministry of Munitions, 8, Northumber- land-avenue, W.C. 2. American Briquette Production.—Some recently pub- lished figures show that last year’s production of briquettes in the United States totalled 406,856 tons, valued at 2,233,888 dols., an increase compared with 1916 of 111,701 tons, or 38 per cent, in quantity and 788,226 dols., or 55 per cent, in value. The production in 1917 was the greatest recorded. The demand for fuel was so strong throughout the year that the manufacturers of briquettes had no lack of market to limit production. Most of the plants operated to their full capacity and reported a prosperous year, although binder and manufacturing costs increased. The number of plants in operation was two less than in 1916. Of the thirteen plants in operation, four used anthracite as a raw material, one Arkansas semi-anthracite, two a mixture of anthracite and bituminous slack, two bituminous slack and sub-bituminous coal, one semi- bituminous coal, one brown lignite, and two oiLgas residue. At two plants coal-tar pitch was used as a binder; at one, mixed coal-tar pitch and asphaltic pitch ; at five, asphaltic pitch; at one, a patent binder; and at four, no binder whatever.