MINERAL INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA DURING 1915. 
E. H. SELLARDS. 
CONTENTS. 
Ball clay or plastic kaolin 
Brick and tile 
Fuller’s earth 
Lime, limestone and flint rock 
Oil prospecting 
Peat 
Phosphate 
Road materials 
Water 
Summary statement of mineral production. 
The value of the minerals produced in Florida during 1915 was 
less than that of the preceding year, the decline being due to the un¬ 
favorable market condition. The total mineral production during 
1914 is valued at $8,621,688, while that for 1915 is valued at $5,- 
035,010. 
A new industry in the State as well as in the United States is 
the production of a dye or stain made from a bituminous material. 
The deposit of bitumen as found in the earth is mixed with sand. 
The company making this new product is the Gulf Reduction Com¬ 
pany, Pensacola. 
BALL CLAY OR PLASTIC KAOLIN. 
Three plants were engaged in mining ball clay in Florida during 
1915. These were the Edgar Plastic Kaolin Company, Edgar; The 
Lake County Clay Company, Okahumpkee; and the Richmond 
China Clay Company, Okahumpkee. The ball clays of Florida are 
white burning, refractory clays notable for their plasticity. They 
occur in association with sand from which they are separated by 
washing. The value of the ball clay produced, although not sep¬ 
arately given, is included in the total mineral products of the State. 
Statistic on production collected in cooperation with the U. S. Geological 
Survey. 
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