MINERAL INDUSTRIES. 
25 
While the geologist cannot encompass the impossible, it is well 
to recognize that there is an important part of the work that he 
may do, namely, to select on the evidence of the structural features 
of the rock as well as upon surface indications, if there are such, 
the place most favorable for the location of a test well. 
PEAT. 
Peat is being produced at Beswick, Florida, by the Ranson 
Humus Company. This being the only plant in operation in the 
State, the production is not separately listed. The peat produced 
by this company is placed on the market in the form of prepared 
humus and peat litter. 
PHOSPHATE ROCK. 
The mining of phosphate rock in Florida during 1915 has been 
very much interfered with by the European war, fior while there is 
a demand for the rock in the European countries transports have not 
been available to make shipment and the freight rates have been ex¬ 
cessive. The output for 1913 was 2,584,794 long tons, while during 
1914 the output, as reported by the producers, was 2,097,864 long 
tons, a decrease of 486,930 tons. The production during 1915 was 
i,455,874 long tons, a further decrease of 641,990 tons, or a total 
decrease over normal production of over a million tons. 
The total shipment of phosphate rock for 1915 as reported by 
the producers was 1,358,611 long tons of which 1,308,481 tons were 
land pebble and 50,130 tons were hard rock phosphates. Of the to¬ 
tal shipments only 229,160 tons were exported, whereas, under nor¬ 
mal conditions more than a million tons are exported. The export 
shipments include land pebble 185,846 tons, and, hard rock 43,314 
tons. The domestic shipment include land pebble 1,122,635, and 
hard rock 6,816 tons. 
Summary of Production and Shipment of Phosphate in Florida 
for the Year 1915, Based on Data. Supplied by the Producers: 
Pebble Phosphate. Long tons. 
Production _ 1,416,422 
Consigned for export_ 185,846 
Consigned for domestic shipment_ 1,122,635 
Total shipments _ 1,308,481 
