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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 34, 25 January 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

Petiioi.ei'M Wells. — The oil is found at various depths ; but ol'ier.est at from 150 to 280 feet below the surface. The suppiy is frequently abundant and overflowing at first, taxing every effort to secure it, and rising in a jet sivty feet into the air. The fact has given rise to the conjecture that a reservoir or lake of oil under. ies the surface ; but this is disproved by tbe difference in depth at which the oil is found. The flow often ceases altogether, but is restored by sinking the wells deeper, or by rimming them, as il is termed, which consists in enlarging the bore an inch or so, equally, ail around its circumference. In «me instance this was done in a well of 400 feet in depth, which as yet had given no signs of oil. When the process had been completed to within fifty feet of the bottom, oil suddenly rose to the top in a large stream, and the same supply has been steadily continued. The simple enlargement of the well an mcli and a-half on each side fortunately opened a large vein which tlie drill hacl passed, proving that the oil flows in veins instead of being con tamed in reservoirs. Two or more wells may be near each other, each yielding oil. and another may be sunk in the vicinity and yield none. Here :s a region of indefinite extent permeated with seams and drains of oil, where energy and enterprise may reap as rich rewards as in the far-off gold-fields of California— where nature with her own cunning hand has prepared the oroduct, leaving it to that of man to secure. — Oil -City lieg-ister.