rl82 NEiW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



crusher supplies two burstone mills and has a capacity of from 

 60 to 80 tons a day. In these mills the lower burstone revolves, 

 as this is supposed to give better results. The annual pro- 

 duction (according to the Buffalo, Eochester & Pittsburg freight 

 agent) is about 15,000 tons. An interesting feature of this mine 

 is the fact that about 3 acres of old chambers are devoted to 

 the growing of mushrooms. About 80 pounds of mushrooms 

 are gathered each day. The plaster is shipped in bulk in car- 

 load lots. Dynamite and black powder are used for the blasts. 



About a mile east of this mine at Garbuttsville is located the 

 mine and mill of the Lycoming calcining co. This mill has just 

 been erected, and was being tested at the time of my visit to 

 Garbuttsville. The gypsum is of the same quality as that at 

 Wheatland. The mine is worked in the same manner. The 

 tunnel is about 200 feet long, and a branch tunnel has just been 

 started. 



The equipment of the mill consists of a Blake crusher, one 

 continuous -calciner with a dust chamber above to save the dust 

 which is used as dental plaster, one cooler, and two vertical 

 emery mills. 



The Diamond wall cement co. is to occupy a part of the build 

 ing for the purpose of manufacturing wall plaster. 



The capacity of this mill is 60 tons in 10 hours. 



Two 6 foot beds of gypsum are found below the one now 

 worked, with intervals of about 6 feet between. 



The Oakfield plaster deposits 



At Oakfield, Genesee co., three companies are engaged in 

 mining and calcining gypsum: the English plaster works, the 

 Oakfield plaster manufacturing co. and the Genesee plaster co. 

 Of these the English plaster co. is the largest. About 50 men 

 are employed at the mill, and about the same at the mines. Two 

 mines are operated, each of which is about 40 feet deep. The 

 deposit of gypsum is about 4 feet thick, and screw drills worked 

 by hand are used. Black powder is used for blasting. The 

 hoisting is by steam. A railroad switch runs to one of the 

 mines, and by this is shipped the rock gypsum. The material 



