THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY IQI2 61 
attains such a thickness that surface influences no longer pene- 
feate it.” 
That the weathering action incident to exposure of the sand to 
oxidation, hydration and physical agencies does work a beneficial 
change upon the molding sand admits of little doubt, though there 
is much uncertainty as to just what the process and its importance 
may be. It is, however, not simply a product of weathering upon 
the ordinary water-laid sands of this section, but the salient features 
of its occurrence and origin, at least in some places, are to be 
ascribed probably to the action of wind. The somewhat patchy 
distribution; the occurrence without relation to any horizon, but 
following the surface contours at least in minor undulations; the 
variable thickness; and the marked angularity of the quartz par- 
ticles are suggestive of wind agency in the final accumulation of 
the deposits. 
The main part of the product of the region, as stated, consists 
of the finer sizes. The companies who operate on a permanent 
basis atrd in various sections usually are able to supply the various 
grades for which a market demand exists. The grades are not 
standardized and their designation by different shippers lacks un1- 
formity. Some five or six are shipped at present. They bear 
numbers, beginning with zero which represents fine brass sand and 
running up to no. 4 which is rather coarse. Perhaps the grade 
most shipped is no. I or stove-plate sand. A screen test on a repre- 
sentative sample of this grade from Selkirk gave the following 
results: through 100 mesh, 96.64 per cent; on 100 mesh, 2.62 per 
cent; on 80 mesh, .39 per cent; on 60 mesh, .04 per cent; on 40 
iesh,-O7,per Cenk; oO 20 mesh, 21 per cent. 
Aside from the Hudson River region, there is some molding sand 
obtained in the western part of the State, mainly in Erie and 
Chautauqua counties. The output there amounts to a few thou- 
sand tons a year. 
For the year 1912, the returns received indicate a total produc- 
tion for the whole State of 469,138 short tons with a value of 
$422,148. The total has not varied much in recent years, having 
been 476,014 tons valued at $420,780 in Igi1 and 471,351 tons 
valued at $424,015 in 1910. 
Core sand used in connection with molding sand for the cores of 
castings is chiefly produced in Erie and Oneida counties. The 
product is listed with fire sand, the combined production of the two 
kinds last year amounting to 87,525 short tons valued at $55,910. 
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