MURPHREE'S VALLEY; INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS. 123 



The other ledge of sandstone caps the upper iron ore bed. 

 It is a very persistent ledge, usually about ten teet thick, 

 though in a few places fiijty or upwards. This is a massive, 

 rather fine grained sand sock. Some of it is white, though 

 the prevailing color is yellow. Some of it is variegated by 

 concentric rings of deeper yellow or brown. These rings are 

 from a quarter to a half inch broad, and the same distance 

 apart. These rocks when dressed and put up present a very 

 beautiful appearance, and could be made very ornamental. 

 Almost everywhere this ledge contains good building ma- 

 terial. Some quarries have been opened at the thicker 

 places of the ledge and the rock has been found to work 

 well, and is highly satisfactory so far as it has been used. 

 In quantity it is inexhaustible, and for strength and 

 durability cannot be excelled. The pillars of the 21st street 

 bridge in Birmingham were obtained from this rock near 

 Oneonta. 



A good sandstone for building is also found on the brow, 

 or near the edge of Sand Mountain. This is the upper 

 members of the lower conglomerate. These members are 

 in plates or layers of varying thickness, having smooth 

 faces and good cleavage. It is therefore easily quarried 

 and prepared for use. Blocks of any desired length and 

 breadth could be conveniently obtained. These upper mem- 

 bers of this rock are free from pebbles, a uniform, rather 

 coarse grained, stratified sandstone. Owing to its position 

 it is not easily accessible, and therefore has not as yet been 

 ^extensively used. But should there be a demand for it in 

 the future, roads to it can be readily built, or tramways to 

 run it down the mountain. 



The LaGrange Sandstone also in many places will afford 

 a good material for building. It is generally white and 

 massive, and may be quarried out in -large blocks. But it 

 has the disadvantage of imperfect cleavage, and it is soft 

 and crumbly, and hence does not take a good dress. It is a 

 freestone of open loose structure. It is therefore very re- 



