PREFACE. 



The work of preparing a report on the iron mines and iron-ore 

 districts of New York was begun in the summer of 1888. A circu- 

 lar letter, with questions asking for information relative to their loca- 

 tion, extent, statistics of mining plant, output and markets, analyses 

 of ores, and historical notes of working, was sent to all of the mine 

 owners or managers. A personal survey of the several iron-ore dis- 

 tricts and a short visit to each mine were planned. The field work 

 was continued through the autumn and into December, until the 

 close of the season. Nearly all of the mines were visited and notes 

 on their geographical situation and geological relations were ob- 

 tained. Specimens of the ores of some of the more characteristic, 

 associated rocks, illustrative of the occurrence, were collected for 

 the Museum exhibition. 



The letters of inquiry were answered, with two exceptions only, 

 and valuable data about the mines, especially in their relations to the 

 iron-mining and iron-manufacturing industries of the country, were 

 received. The notes of the field survey, supplemented by the infor- 

 mation furnished by the mine owners and managers, constitute the 

 greater part of the material used in making this report. Short no- 

 tices of the older mines and of some of the abandoned mine locali- 

 ties, chiefly of a historical nature, have been incorporated in it. The 

 authorities for these references are given in all cases. 



The original plan of the work has been followed, and the descrip- 

 tive notes have been limited to the generalizations and details of a 

 practical nature. The constant aim has been to make it a useful 

 guide to the iron mines of the State ; and not for the miner and 

 prospector only, but for the public generally. The statistics of the 

 extent and of the mine equipment and output are on the authority of 

 the company or mine officials. The analyses show the chemical com- 

 position of the higher grades of ore and the percentage of metallic 

 iron is above the average of the ore shipments. In many cases the 

 yield of iron in the furnace, or the percentage guaranteed, is stated. 



