10 NI-:W YORK STATE MUSEUM 



different occurrences, after the plan so successfully followed recently 

 in the larger fields, might yield additional information valuable to 

 these industries. 



The iron ores of New York constitute one of its large mineral 

 treasures. There are few areas of equal size in which so varied 

 and widely distributed deposits are found. This variety of character 

 is closely related to the geological features that surround their 

 formation, and the interpretation of these features has a more or 

 less direct bearing upon the issue of mining operations. One type of 

 occurrence is represented by the Clinton hematite deposits which 

 occup}' a belt stretching across the central and western counties and 

 which are clearly defined as to position by their stratified develop- 

 ment. They have recently been explored and mapped. The very 

 important magnetic ores of the Adirondacks, on the other hand, 

 present a wide complexity of form and surroundings, as might be 

 expected from their association w^ith some of the most ancient rocks 

 that are anywhere exposed. Still the study of their features has 

 not been without result, as it has supplied the criteria for arranging 

 them into two or three larger groups, each with a circumscribed 

 geological range. 



There remain for future investigation the Highlands magnetite 

 district, the limonites of Columbia and Dutchess counties and the 

 hematite ores of St Lawrence county, all of which have commercial 

 importance. 



The minor minerals lend a variety to the productive industry in the 

 State, to which they also contribute very materially in the aggregate. 

 The Adirondack region is the source of most of them. They include 

 talc, garnet and graphite in extensive deposits that possess peculiar 

 economic value to the trade, as well as feldspar, quartz, pyrite, lead 

 and zinc whicli have a more limited representation. The production 

 of zinc ore. it may be noted, has reached commercial proportions 

 only within the last year. The areal mapping now in progress 

 throughout the Adirondacks will help to explain the occurrence of 

 these deposits, but many will repay detailed investigation of their 

 distribution and field of usefulness. 



With the gains of knowledge on these subjects has come not only 

 a better a])prcciati()n of the positive elements in the State's mineral 

 endowment, but also of the limitations that are naturallv put upon 

 this wealth and that should be respected by well-intentioned enter- 

 prise. The service to be rendered by directing industry into its 

 legitimate channels may be not the least important function of the 



