28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



containing usually about 4 to 5 per cent of calcium oxid. They 

 burn to a good red color, incipient fusion taking place at cone 

 .05 and vitrification at .04. Besides the main use as material 

 for soft mud brick, the clay has been successfully utilized in the 

 manufacture of roofing tile and' certain beds are used as a slip 

 clay for glazing pottery. 



The brick are manufactured entirely by the soft mud process 

 and are burned in scove kilns, modern methods seemingly 

 taking slight hold in the district. 



The importance and growth of the industry in the region 

 has been due to the ease with which the clay can be mined from 

 the terrace, manufactured practically on the dock, and loaded 

 directly onto barges and shipped to New York city. 



The year 1909 showed a marked improvement in business 

 conditions and an increased activity in building operations. 

 This activity was felt in the Hudson river yards and a much 

 larger output of brick was made. The total output was 1,218,- 

 784,000 brick valued at $6,443,190 of which all but 210,000,000 

 were shipped, reliable estimates giving that amount as held 

 over. This would give as the total sales 1,008,784,000 as against 

 817,459,000 in 1908. The figures in the tables for 1909 represent 

 the total manufactured while in 190S they are. given as the total 

 sold. 



The increased output was accompanied by such an increased 

 demand that prices showed a gratifying increase, the average 

 price per thousand being $5.28 against $4.75 in 1908 and $5.20 

 in 1907. There were 119 plants in operation with an average 

 production of 10,326,000, against 114 plants with an average 

 output of 7,171,000 in 1908. As in former years Ulster county 

 had the lead in production with a total of 304,904,000 brick 

 valued at $1,620,468, against 179,166,000 valued at $816,947 in 

 1908. Rockland county held second place as heretofore, while 

 Dutchess county ranked third, displacing Orange county which 

 held third place in 1908. 



