THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY. 179 



vision of the Warrior field, i. e., its coal beds are chiefly the 

 lower beds of the series, and are elevated above the general 

 drainage level of the bordering valleys. 



• Coal. — Bituminous coal and the coke made from it are about 

 the only mineral products of the Coal Measures in Alabama, 

 though in other states black band iron ore, clay iron stone, 

 and five clays are obtained from this formation. These mate- 

 rials' are well known to occur at various points in our coal 

 fields, but they have not yet come into commercial use. 



At the present time there is very little coal mined in the 

 Plateau region of the Warrior field or in Lookout Mountain, 

 though workable seams, which have at times been mined, occur 

 in both. 



Between Murphree's Valley and the Coosa Valley there is a 

 long narrow field called the Blount Mountain, which partakes 

 of both plateau and basin characters. In this field there are 

 several good seams of coal at this time in a fair way of being 

 opened up on an extensive scale. The main basin of the War- 

 rior field is now the chief producer of Alabama coal, and large 

 collieries are in operation at many points in Jeflferson, Walker, 

 and Tuscaloosa counties. 



Mining operations in the Cahaba field are now mainly 

 grouped about four or five points, viz.. Henry-Ellen in the up- 

 per part of the field, and Helena, Montevallo and Blocton in 

 the lower part. 



In the Coosa field work is confined to the vicinities of Rag- 

 land and Coal City. 



The coal from all three of the Alabama fields makes coke, 

 the quality of which has been too well demonstrated by years 

 of actual use to need any comment. The most extensive cok- 

 ing plants in the state are in Birmingham, Bessemer, Coalburg, 

 Pratt City, Johns, Brookwood, Holt, Blocton, Ensley, Thomas, 

 and Woodward's, but smaller plants are to be found at most of 

 the mines not here enumerated. 



In addition to the above described productions of the min- 

 eral regions, we may speak in general terms of materials for 

 building and ornamental purposes, and for construction, which 

 occur in the various divisions of this region. 



There is, of course, no lack of good building stone in nearly 

 all parts of the mineral district, but it is in most places quar- 

 ried for local use onlv. The localities are too numerous to 



