Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1892 — Callfornia Asphaltum. [ARTICLE]

Callfornia Asphaltum.

There was recently transported from the mines of the Santa Barbara Asphalt Company of La Patera, California, a large block of asphaltum, weighing as It was taken from the mine some two and one-half tons, and believed to be the largest block of asphaltum evor mined in one mass. The mine in question has only been opened about one year. Though chiefly used, as Is well known, for street paving, its employment Is increasing for other purposes, large quantities being now oonsumod in making floors for warehouses, cellars, wineries, breweries, etc., as it renders the floors absolutely water-tight, besides being affected by acids or gases. For lining dams, levees and reservoirs a thin coat of tho article put on In a melted stale presents a permanent water-tight surface, preventing loss by seepage, even when bat ked by only an earth embankment. .It Is claimed to mako conduits of wood almost if not quite as durnblo as iron.