Its product was, so to speak, under a cloud.

A small portion of it only could be used, it was said, without obstructing the furnace.

Chemistry told us that it was low in phosphorus, but very high in silicon.

There was no better ore and scarcely any as rich, if it were properly fluxed.

We therefore bought heavily of this and received the thanks of the proprietors for rendering their property valuable.
It is hardly believable that for several years we were able to dispose of the highly phosphoric cinder from the puddling furnaces at a higher price than we had to pay for the pure cinder from the heating furnaces of our competitors--a cinder which was richer in iron than the puddled cinder and much freer from phosphorus.