THE AlIXIXG ^XD QUARRY IXDUSTRV IQoS 59 



thick over i acre yields approximately I200 tons. The finer grades 

 of sand nsuaily occur in the thinner beds. As a rule, beds under 

 8 inches in thickness are not taken out. The dealers generally buy 

 the sand rights of an area from the owner, paying him $75 to $800 

 per acre for the privilege of removing the sand, the work being 

 done by men acquainted with the various grades and their value. 

 After the sand has been removed and the soil or sod replaced the 

 farm is as well suited for agricultural purposes as before. 



Scattered throughout the rest of the State are numerous sand 

 beds which are being worked for molding sand as well as for 

 building sand. They are mainly Quaternary sands deposited in 

 isolated patches by the action of glacial waters during the glacial 

 period. Returns have been received from Erie, Livingston, Cayuga, 

 Niagara and Oneida counties, the latter two counties producing 

 only core sand. 



Near Poughkeepsie at one time a residual sand overlying a 

 Potsdam limestone was quarried and used as a molding sand.^ 



The large railroad foundries at Dunkirk and Depew are largely 

 supplied with molding sand from Erie county. 



The statistics gathered from the molding sand producers, 

 although not complete, indicate in a general way the importance of 

 the industry, the total production for last year being 312,819 short 

 tons valued at $277,290. Comparing this with the production in 

 1907 (693,293 short tons valued at $539,674) as given by the 

 United States Geological Survey we note a decided falling off. 

 This is probably due, however, to the sluggishness of all iron and 

 steel work during the year. Of the total amount the Hudson river 

 region contributed 299.320 tons valued at $270,145. From counties 

 outside of this area returns are incomplete, the production in Erie 

 county and vicinity being of much greater importance than the 

 returns would indicate. 



Core sand used in connection with molding sand is obtainerl at 

 scattered localities, the county showing the largest production being 

 ( )neida. The total production of the State was 27,624 short tons 

 valued at $22,37 r. 



Glass sand. The use of sand in the manufacture of glass is an 

 important feature of the sand trade, and sand suitable for such a 

 pur]:;ose is of high value. 



Glass sand is obtained either from deposits of unconsolidated 

 silicious sand of exceptional purity or from sandstones and quartz- 

 ites, which have to be crushed. 



1 Merrill. N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 19. 1898. p. 225. 



