6 NEW VORK STATE MUSEUM 



$34,914,034, a gain of more than $5,000,000 over the total for 1908. 

 The upturn was not sufficient to estabUsh a new record for the in- 

 dustries, but it reflected their strong position and capacity for con- 

 tinued growth. 



The valuation, it should be noted, has been based, so far as prac- 

 ticable, on crude materials, and though serviceable for comparing 

 the course of the related industries from year to year it affords 

 only a small measure of the contribution made by the general class 

 oi mineral activities that are represented in tlie State. The metal- 

 lurgical and chemical products of mineral nature are among the 

 largest items of local manufactures. The inclusion oi pig iron 

 alone in the list of products for last year would nearly have doubled 

 the above total. 



Among the notable features of the record for 1909 was a large 

 gain in the product of iron ore which reached an aggregate of 

 991,008 long tons valued at $3,179,358. This represented a gain in 

 quantity of nearly 300,000 tons over the total ior tlie preceding 

 year. The production fell a little short of the output in 1907, but 

 with that exception was the largest reported for any year since 

 1891. The iron market during the early months was still under 

 the influence of the depression and it was not until the spring 

 season had well advanced that the mines began operations at full 

 capacity. There were 12 companies who reported a production, 

 against 10 in 1908 and 13 in 1907. The Adirondacks furnished the 

 greater part of the increase, though the mines along the Clinton 

 belt showed a substantial gain. 



Tlie various materials of clay constituted the largest items in the 

 year's record, with an aggregate value oi $12,351,482, as compared 

 with $8,918,863 in 1908. The increase of nearly 40 per cent in 

 the value of the production was due principally to the revival of 

 the building trades and consequent demand for structural materials. 

 The combined output of brick, tile, fire-proofing and terra cotta 

 used for building purposes was valued at $9,342,015, against $6,071,- 

 850 in 1908. In 1907 these materials represented a value of 

 $8,909,392. The number of building brick made last year was 

 1,518,023,000 of which 1,218,784,000, or about three fourths, con- 

 sisted of common brick from the Hudson river region. The value 

 of the pottery manufactures showed a smaller relative gain with a 

 total of $1,827,193 as compared with $1,653,241 in 1908. The num- 

 ber of plants that were engaged in clay manufacturing of all kinds 

 was 232 or 10 less than in 1908. 



