To the Editor of the Dean Sm,—I note your remarks on petroleum used in Russiaasafuel. Crude petroleum, as a fuel for generating steam in marine or stationary boilers has been tried by Mr. B, N. Huestis, an engineer of this place, with fair results, and a patent has been secured in the United States of North America, England, France and Germany, and material is shortly expected here to ute it on a larve scale. It is far superior to coal in every respect, as it makes no dirt to choke bilge pumps, oF eke or sovt to dirty sails or ship. Besides, it is much cheaper than coal and more convenient to handle and stow, as it can be put in any obscure place and led to the boilers by means of pipes, &c., for use, Yours truly, OBSERVER, Shanghai, 28th May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.