56 JOCKXAL OF THE 



The total number of stamps in operation is estimated at 

 310, the total amount of labor at 500 men, and the total 

 production at $65,000. 



PIG IRON. 



There was but one blast furnace in active operation in the 

 State, namely, thatat Cranberry, Mitchell county, belongino^ 

 to the Cranberry Iron and Coal Company. This is a small 

 brick stack of the following dimensions: Height 50 feet, 

 diameter of bosh 10 feet 2 inches, diameter of hearth 

 3 feet, capacity 14 to 15 tons per day. It uses the low 

 phosphorus magnetic ore of the Cranberry mine situated 

 close by, magnesian limestone from Carter county, Tenn., 

 and coke from Pocahontas, W. Va. 



The total output of this furnace for 1892 was 2,902 

 gross tons, of which 313 tons were charcoal and 2,589 tons 

 coke iron; the total product was valued at $52,000 at the 

 furnace. 



The quality of this product was a special Bessemer iron, 

 averaging less than i.oo per cent, silicon, and less than 

 0.025 per cent, phosphorus. It was shipped to steel works 

 in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 



The total production in gross tons (22,401 pounds) of the 

 Cranberry furnace for the past nine years is shown in the 

 following table: 



The small amount of forge iron made for pureh' local 

 purposes at Pasle)'s forge, in Ashe count)', is rather of 

 historical than commercial interest. This forge is situated 

 at the mouth of Helton Creek, and consists of one fire 



