THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY igi2 6l 



attains such a thickness that surface influences no longer pene- 

 trate 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 and 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 uni- 

 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. 1 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 

 mesh, .07 per cent; on 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 191 1 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. 



