SLATE. 



Shush an, Washington County. — A slate quarry was opened 

 here about four years ago, on lands of Daniel Dobbins, near the 

 Batten Kill, and one mile south-west of Shushan. There are two 

 openings about 50 yards apart, in a northerly and southerly line, and 

 about 150 yards south-west of Dobbins house. This quarry was 

 reopened in 1887 by a New York city firm, and was worked about 

 six weeks. The main opening is 75 yards long, and about 30 yards 

 wide and 40 feet deep. The bed dips at an angle of 40° eastward. 

 There is very little earth on the rock, and originally, the slate cropped 

 out. The rock on the west and south sides of the opening is purple, 

 green and variegated in color. Two derricks, worked by horse power 

 and a shanty, with a trimming machine, make up the quarry plant. 

 The work had been suspended at the time of visit, and the bottom of 

 the quarry could not be seen. A small stock of roofing slate was on 

 the bank. 



Salem, Washington County. — South-east of Salem a half a 

 mile, three quarries have been opened for roofing slate. Two of 

 these quarries are worked by C. H. Pierce, and the third by John N. 

 Williams & Co. The Pierce quarries were opened three years ago, 

 and the excavations are about 40 feet deep. The southern opening 

 is about 40 x 60 feet in size. The drift earth which covers the 

 slate averages seven feet in thickness. The beds dip at an angle of 

 20° east-south-east. The north-east opening is small and is now idle. 

 These quarries produce roofing slate and flag-stone. The stone, un- 

 suited for roofing or for flagging, is used in the town for walls and 

 foundations. 



The Hawley Farm quarry, about 300 yards south-west of the 

 Pierce quarry, is leased and worked by John N. Williams & Co., and 

 was opened the last season (188 7). It has reached a depth of 45 feet on 

 the dip, but is only about 30 feet square. The strata dip 40° east ; the 

 cleavage is in the same direction. The slate has a greenish color, and 

 is known as unfading green. The water is raised by a barrel, and a 

 one-horse derrick answers for hoisting the slate. This quarry has 

 not been opened sufficiently to develop a large body of good slate, 

 but it is promising. 



