REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR igi2 2^ 



higher deposits is probably chiefly due to tlie freshening of the 

 water in the narrow inlet and strait by the very copious glacial 

 waters. 



INDUSTRIAL GEOLOGY 



General review. The work in industrial geology which is 

 directed chiefly to the investigation and description of the State's 

 mineral resources has been carried forward actively during the past 

 year. The annual summary of the local mining field, prepared in 

 the form of a report for the general guidance of those engaged in 

 the industry or otherwise interested in its current progress, has been 

 continued, and the latest issue brings the information down to the 

 close of 191 1. Besides complete production statistics, the report 

 contains notes and short articles dealing with the present sources 

 of supply of the valuable minerals and the more interesting features 

 involved in their exploitations. In the year 191 1, conditions on the 

 whole were rather unfavorable to mining and quarry operations; 

 very few branches were able to report progress in terms of in- 

 creased output. The aggregate valuation of $31,573,111 for the 

 crude products was less by about 10 per cent than the total returned 

 in the preceding year. The iron mining industry showed the full 

 effects of the depression, as it is always very responsive to economic 

 changes. The clay-working and quarry industries, especially the 

 departments engaged in the production of building materials, were 

 likewise much depressed. The setback had no serious consequences 

 so far as concerns the permanent welfare of the industries, and it 

 is expected that the record for 1912 will show some improvement, 

 if not material gains, in many branches. 



Talc. A sketch of the talc deposits of St Lawrence county and 

 the present status of their industrial development has been pre- 

 pared to meet the public inquiry for information on the subject. 

 Some interesting developments have taken place during the last 

 year or two, and it is hoped that with the preparation of large-scale 

 topographic maps, a work now in progress, the opportunity will 

 soon be forthcoming for a comprehensive account of the geology 

 and economic features of the district. Since commercial operations 

 were started, a little over thirty years ago, the mines have con- 

 tributed nearly a million and a half tons, all of which required 

 mechanical preparation before shipment to market. There is no 

 other district in this country where the mining and milling of talc 

 is carried on on so large a scale. The occurrence of metallic ores, 

 including zinc blende, pyrite and hematite, in close proximity with 



