150 DETAILED REPORT ON ALABAMA CLAYS. 



The rational analysis of the clay gave : 



Clay substance 31.20 



Quarts .. 58.00 



Feldspar 10.80 



100.00 



(No. 119). 

 FIKE CLAY, 



FROM NEAR FORT PAYNE^ DEKALB COUNTY. 



Major F. Y. Anderson has made several openings to 

 the west of the Alabama Great Southern Railroad at 

 several points between Valley Head and Fort Payne. 



The clay found in these pits is in appearance not 

 unlike that which is found in the mines of Montague 

 and Griffin to the northward. The different grades 

 are recognized. 



The second grade, as it is called, No. 119, is a 

 somewhat soft, gritty, lean clay, of a yellowish color, 

 due to the numerous stains of iron oxide, and when 

 thrown into the water slakes slowly to a powder. 



Forty per cent, of water gave a lean mass, and the 

 air shrinkage of the bricklet made from this was 8 per 

 cent. Incipient fusion occurs at 2300 F., the total 

 shrinkage at this point being 14 per cent., and the 

 bricklet is yellowish white. When heated to cone 27 

 in the Deville furnace the clay showed vitrification. 

 While it is fairly refractory in its nature, at the same 

 time, owing to the yellowish tint developed in burn- 

 ing, it would not, in its natural condition, do for the 

 manufacture of white ware. It is possible, however, 

 that washing might eliminate some of the undesirable 

 impurities. 



The chemical composition ; s as follows: 



