THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY I915 39 



that may be produced, the joints occurring in two sets approxi- 

 mately parallel to the dip and strike of the formation. The rough 

 blocks thus obtained are reduced to shape by the hammer and 

 point and then undergo a final tool dressing which varies with the 

 use to which the stone is to be put. The hole or " eye " in the center 

 is drilled by hand. 



The sizes of the stone marketed ranges from 15 to 90 inches in 

 diameter. The greater demand is for the smaller and medium sizes 

 with diameters of 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 inches. The chasers are 

 supplied in sizes that usually run from 48 to 90 inches and with 

 widths up to 24 inches. The prices range from $3 for an 18-inch 

 stone to $75 or $100 for the largest sizes. 



The production at one time was valued at over $100,000 a year, 

 but within the last decade it has averaged less than $20,000. During 

 191 5 the total sales of millstones and chasers were reported as 

 $10,916 as compared with $12,410, the value of the stones marketed 

 in 1914. 



MINERAL PAINT 



For the purposes of the present report only the natural mineral 

 pigments are included under this title. In addition to these 

 materials, there is a production in the State of artificial pigments, 

 especially those of lead, but as the substance used in their manu- 

 facture is derived from outside sources, they have not been included 

 among the local products. 



The crude paint materials that occur within the State include iron 

 ore, ocher, shale and slate. Of the iron ores, the Clinton hematite 

 affords an excellent base for the manufacture of metallic paint and 

 mortar color of red to brownish red colors. The beds with a 

 relatively high iron content are employed, as they possess the soft- 

 ness and uniformity of texture, as well as depth of color which 

 are requisite for such use. The ore is obtained from the mines at 

 Clinton, Oneida county, owned by C. A. Borst, and from those at 

 Ontario, Wayne county, worked by the Furnaceville Iron Co. The 

 hematite from the former locality is of oolitic nature and carries 

 about 45 per cent iron. The ore from Ontario contains about 40 

 per cent iron and is known as " fossil " ore. In years past the red 

 hematite from the northern part of the State has also been em- 

 ployed, but recently this ore has not been obtainable. 



Both shale and slate from the local formations have been used 

 rather extensively for pigments. They occur in various colors 

 depending upon the amount and nature of the iron oxides present. 



