28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



stocks, which as seen on the surface present rather irregular bound- 

 aries, though broadly considered have a more or less rounded out- 

 line, that is, nearly equidimensional. Such bodies may reach diam- 

 eters of several hundred feet and of course, extend for indefinite 

 distances into the earth. Microcline is the variety of feldspar most 

 common in the pegmatites of New York State. 



In addition to feldspar, quartz and mica are sometimes produced 

 from pegmatite quarries. The quartz, if pure, may find employment 

 in pottery manufacture, or it is useful as an abrasive, for wood 

 filler, and other purposes. Mica is obtained only in limited quantity 

 from the local quarries. 



Production. The production of feldspar, inclusive of unsorted 

 pegmatite, in 191 5 was 16,896 short tons, valued at $76,152. This 

 was a decline from the output of the preceding year which was 

 reported as 18,487 short tons, worth $97,192. Although the valua- 

 tions in the two years seem to indicate a marked drop in prices, this 

 was more apparent than real, since the statistics for 19 15 included 

 a larger proportion of the unsorted pegmatite than usual. Such 

 material brings a low price, from $2 to $3 a ton. Selected crude 

 spar of pottery grade is worth $4.50 to $5 a ton, ground spar for 

 enamel and glass manufacture brings $7 to $8, and ground pottery 

 spar from $8 to $10 a ton. 



The quarries recently active are situated in Westchester, Essex 

 and Saratoga counties. P. H. Kinkel's Sons and the Bedford Spar 

 Co. operate quarries at Bedford, Westchester county. The Crown 

 Point Spar Co. owns quarries and a mill at Crown Point and the 

 Barrett Manufacturing Co. at Ticonderoga. The quarries near 

 Batchellerville, Saratoga county, once worked by the Claspka Min- 

 ing Co., but inactive for several years past, have been taken over 

 by the Eureka Mining Co. and again placed in operation. The 

 quarries afford a good grade of pottery material. 



GARNET 



The abrasive garnet industry experienced no marked changes last 

 year, either as regards technology or its economic position. The 

 Adirondack mines were worked on about the usual scale, though the 

 production fell a little short of the total for the preceding year, 

 amounting'to 3900 short tons valued at $134,064. The value of the 

 product was practically as large, however, owing to the increased 

 proportion of high-grade crystal garnet in the total. For a number 

 of years past the production has averaged around 4000 tons, and 



