38 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



outcrop by test pits and explored on the dip by drilling so as 

 to prove their persistence over a large area. The average rock 

 is fairly uniform in graphite which is of somewhat finer flake 

 than that obtained from the American mine. It is planned to 

 make mill tests during the current season ; if they are favor- 

 able the construction of a large plant and the active exploita- 

 tion of the deposits may be anticipated. 



GYPSUM 



The gypsum industry which has advanced very rapidly in 

 the last few years continued its progress during 1909. Though 

 no new mines or quarries began active work within the period, 

 increased operations on the part of the enterprises who recently 

 entered the field, in the natural course of development, brought 

 about a considerable gain of output. Trade conditions were 

 still somewhat unsettled and from that standpoint the showing 

 was better than might have been expected. 



The output of crude gypsum amounted to 378,232 short tons, 

 against 318,046 short tons in 1908, an increase for the year of 

 60,186 short tons or nearly 20 per cent. The production was 

 reported as 323,323 tons in 1907; 262,486 tons in 1906 and 

 191,860 tons in 1905; so that it has almost doubled within the 

 last five years. 



Of the quantity of crude rock that was mined or quarried in 

 1909 about 70 per cent was converted into calcined plasters by 

 the producing companies. Their reports showed a total of 

 209,223 tons of plaster of paris and wall plaster manufactured, 

 with a value of $699,110. In 1908 the total was 160,930 tons 

 valued at $574,757- The amount of gypsum ground for land 

 plaster was 9468 tons valued at $19,283, against 5712 tons 

 valued at $14,255 in the preceding year. The quantity sold in 

 crude state for mixture in portland cement and for calcination 

 in plaster mills outside the district was 126,606 tons valued at $189,- 

 208 against 95,146 tons valued at $171,747 in 1908. 



