PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW YORK 477 



sunk for hundreds of feet into granite, where porous rocks are not 

 known to exist and where no encouragement whatever is found 

 in the results of experience. In but one of the towns named, 

 Rome, has there been a definite search for gas and intelligent 

 prosecution of the work. 



a Utica. In 1896 the Globe woolen works drilled a well in the 

 search for water to a depth of over 1800 feet. Mr P. H. Foley of 

 Utica was the contractor and he has furnished the following rec- 

 ord, his nomenclature being somewhat modified. 



Drive pipe 48 ft 



Utica shale 447 



Trenton limestone 369 



Potsdam sandstone 440 



Granite 551 



Total 1855 



A gas vein was struck at 225 feet of force sufficient to throw 

 the water from the casing and to make quite an imposing blaze. 

 The pressure of the gas was estimated at more than 200 pounds to 

 the square inch, but the vein was finally cased out of the well 

 and drilling went forward. The contractor divided the great 

 limestone series into two divisions, the upper one being styled a 

 '• fossiliferous limestone," but the geologist can not recognize the 

 grounds of this division. Both are unmistakably Trenton. The 

 distance from the top of the Trenton to the granite is normal for 

 this region. Through several counties the measure is about 800 

 feet. 



The experience of this well shows that Utica has enough evi- 

 dence of gas to justify farther exploration, if her citizens come 

 to attach as great value to this volatile fuel as many of their 

 neighbors do. 



The Standard harvester co. also sunk a deep well in 1897, the 

 record of which is as follows: 



Drive pipe 65 ft 



Utica slate 497 



Trenton limestone 368 



Potsdam sandstone 4 



Total depth 934 



