The Phosphates of America. 61 



Assuming this quantity to require in round numbers 200,000 tons 

 of raw phosphate, and further assuming that the output of the 

 latter will this year attain our estimated figure of 650,000 tons, as 

 we believe it will, there remains an available surplus over local re- 

 quirements of 450,000 tons of phosphate of lime. Of this quantity 

 about one-half may go to Great Britain and Germany and the 

 balance will go coastwise to Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia 

 .and New York. 



There can be no doubt that, as we have already remarked, 

 South Carolina rock must be regarded as a raw material of the 

 first class in the manufacture of soluble and available phosphates, 

 and that, as such, it is and will continue to be everywhere held in 

 the highest esteem. In Europe it is generally used in combination 

 with Belgian cretaceous phosphates and very high-grade Canadian 

 apatites, and in this way yields results that cannot be surpassed by 

 any other material as an all-round staple, uniform and reliable 

 article. 



If we were asked to express an opinion in an off-hand way as 

 to the probable extent and capacity of the yet untouched or unex- 

 ploited deposits, we should hesitate to give any decided answer be- 

 cause of the lack of sufficient data or reliable figures. From, in- 

 formation which we have been able to gather, however, from sour- 

 ces in which we have every reason to place the fullest confidence, 

 the explored but still unexploited area covered by land and river de- 

 posits embraces an area of no less than thirty miles. Regarding this 

 as a mere approximation to the possible truth, we might venture, 

 in the same spirit of speculation, to place the yield of this area at 

 the present average of 750 tons to the acre. 



The conclusion drawn from these hypotheses would be that the 

 State may be relied upon to still produce about 14,000,000 tons, 

 and allowing for a continued average production and sale of, say, 

 50,000 tons per month, either for local consumption or export trade, 

 it would appear as if the mines would all be exhausted in about 

 twenty-eight years from the present time. 



Whether the mining companies now in the field have or have 

 not entertained this view of the matter, it is impossible to say, nor is 

 it very material to the issue. The fact remains that the known avail- 

 able and readily accessible deposits are all appropriated, and that 

 no falling off in the demand for the product has yet been traceable 

 to the influence of any other source of supply. As time rolls on, 

 local manufacturing requirements cannot fail to increase in large 



