Culm

Culm, a kind of impure Anthracite (q.v.). In some districts the culm obtained from the pits in a broken and crumbling condition is used as fuel, being made up into balls, with one-third of its bulk of wet viscid clay. It burns without flame, producing a strong and steady heat, well adapted for cooking (see BRIQUETTES). The term Culm-measures is applied to the carboniferous strata of Devonshire, on account of the workings for culm near Bideford, and other places.