30 The Phosphates of America. 



been paid. In 1872 mining was begun on the Lievres River and 

 gradually increased until 1880, when English and American capi- 

 talists embarked in the industry and prosecuted work on a large 

 scale with the aid of steam machinery. Previous to this time 

 hand labor only was employed and a good proportion of the output 

 was obtained by farmers, who discovered the mineral on their 

 lands and worked at it in a desultory manner as attention to their 

 farm duties permitted. 



The result of such a method was, of course, that the whole of 

 a property was soon cut up with small pits and trenches, rarely 

 exceeding 20 feet in depth, and often interfering considerably 

 with later and larger mining operations, and it was not until well- 

 organized companies, directed by efficient engineers, with steel 

 drills, hoists, pumps, etc., came into the field, that the exploita- 

 tion proceeded on a sound basis. It would l}e impossible and 

 at the same time uninteresting to attempt a detailed description 

 of all the mines now in operation, and we have concluded to 

 content ourselves by selecting one of the best as a typical 

 example. 



For this purpose we will describe the mode of occurrence,, 

 method of working, possibilities of production and qualities of prod- 

 uct at the North Star Mine, which is situated on the east bank 

 of the Lievres River, in the township of Portland, and which in 

 our opinion is one of the very few enterprises of its kind which 

 have been conducted on true mining principles. It is perhaps the 

 only one in which proper development work has been undertaken 

 with a view rather to lasting profits than immediate and temporary 

 gains. The managers have made themselves acquainted with and 

 have thoroughly understood the peculiar nature of the formation 

 with which they have had to deal. They have consequently 

 divided their work from the commencement of their operations 

 into two distinct phases, exploration and exploitation. 



The first has consisted in prospecting the lode or belt, uncover- 

 ing its surface over the entire property, to prove the continued 

 presence of the apatite, and then in opening up pits or quarries to 

 a sufficient depth to demonstrate the importance, dimensions and 

 trend of the deposit. 



The second has consisted in simply following up the indications 

 thus laid bare, by sinking shafts upon the vein, in conformity with 

 the strike and dip of the phosphate. 



The results of this policy have been manifold. Scientifically 

 they have taught us all we now know concerning the mode of oc- 



