132 GEOLOGY OF OLD HAMPSHIEE COUNTY, MASS. 



is demanded tlie same unusual chemical conditions, accompanied by the abundant 

 presence of protoxide of iron. 



The contrast between the conditions of emery at the only two regions of its 

 known occurrence grows out of the difference in the parent rock or originating 

 formation. It is saccharoidal limestone (white marble) in Asia and talcose slate in 

 America; for although the emery vein at Chester is situated just within the limits 

 of the gneiss, it can scarcely be doubted, since the emery and magnetite are both 

 found in the slate and neither in the gneiss, that these minerals originated in the 

 former at a period, of course, when the strata were horizontal and the talcose slate 

 was uppermost. 



Conclusion. 



The preceding statements afford the fullest view I am able to present of the 

 emery mine at Chester as the result of several days of diligent examination of 

 the locality and surrounding region. The vein, though fully traced and secured by 

 its present proprietors for the distance of 4 miles, has not been opened except at 

 comparatively few points; but the -workings have been suiflciently extensive to demon- 

 strate the perfectly inexhaustible supply of the emery, not to say also of the magnetite 

 and soapstone. The vein, moreover, following as it does the crests of two precipitous 

 mountains, and holding a vertical position with a width of 3 to 5 feet within well 

 defined walls throughout, presents facilities for exploration that must be obvious to 

 everyone. Experience has not yet been sufficient to determine what will be the cost 

 of raising either the emery or the magnetite; but it may be stated that many hun- 

 dred tons of both have been mined at a cost not exceeding $3 per ton, and it is 

 coniidently believed that, when the most advantageous localities for working have 

 been decided upon, a reduction of this charge may be eii'ected. The fact that the mine 

 is capable of being worked for generations without incurring the smallest expense in 

 freeing it from water is a consideration of much importance; while a further advan- 

 tage to the property arises from the fact that the smaller Westfleld Eiver bisects the 

 vein midway of Its length where the North and South Mountains come together. 

 Already valuable use is made of this water power in extensive mills here erected for 

 crushing the emery and splitting the soapstone, and a further use maybe made of the 

 same stream for the erection of iron works to any extent desired. 



The Albany and Boston Eailroad passes within a quarter of a mile of these 

 mills — the road ii-om there to the depot being level, or at most having only the descent 

 of the stream. The distance (going east) to Springfield, on the Connecticut Eiver, is 

 30 miles, and the road to that place is crossed at Westfleld, two-thirds of the way 

 thither, by a north-and-south road, whereby the coast at New Haven can be struck at 

 a distance of 62 miles, thus affording by the Hudson Eiver another connection with 

 New York City, as well as the entire region of the West. Indeed, it is easy for any- 

 one, with a map of the United States before him, to assure himself that the Chester 

 mine is situated at the very focus of our system of railroad communication, as well as 

 of the manufacturing industry of the country. 



