2.2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



From Ontario on the west, to Clinton on the east, the boimds of 

 the outcrop of the ore beds that have workable dimensions, the dis- 

 tance is 120 miles. If an average thickness of 20 inches is used as 

 a basis for calculation, the quantity of ore available in each mile of 

 outcrop and an equal distance on the dip amounts in round figures 

 to 5,000,000 long tons. While there has not been sufficient explora- 

 tion as yet to establish the continuity or the imiformity of the beds 

 between many widely separated localities along the outcrop, yet no 

 doubt can exist that the resources of the Clinton formation are 

 enormous. Considering the remarkable expansion which the iron 

 and steel industries have undergone recently, it seems not unlikely 

 that before long these resources will be brought into more exten- 

 sive utilization than has obtained at any period of the past. 



It is now of immediate importance that provision be made by the 

 Legislature for the proper estimate under the supervision of the 

 State Geologist of the volume and quality of this great ore body. 

 The elements of uncertainty which must be eliminated before opera- 

 tions for production can be intelligently begun are chiefly two : 

 ( I ) the possibility of variation in thickness of this ore deposit along 

 the dip; (2) local variations in the quality of the ore. The dip of 

 the ore bed and adjoining strata is slight, probably not in excess of 

 an average of 50 feet to the mile, and due south, without perceptible 

 variations east and west. It is not possible to determine at the out- 

 crop whether the ore body will maintain its thickness, increase or 

 diminish in and downward. Assuming that the underground con- 

 dition is as favorable as the surface, mining for a mile in along the 

 easy slope of the strata is entirely practicable. In order to ascer- 

 tain the possibility of permanence or variation it is necessary to 

 drill through the overburden at various points south of the line of 

 outcrop. This procedure will serve to indicate favorable points for 

 the sinking of shafts and to determine the thickness of the soil 

 mantle which lies heavy over much of the region involved. Such 

 borings should traverse the field in east and west series, one at a 

 half mile from the outcrop, the other a mile therefrom and be placed 

 at alternating intervals of not less than 5 miles. These determina- 

 tions by boring must be supplemented by assays of the ore samples 

 obtained at each boring or so far as that may be necessary. 



Assistance will be asked from the Legislature to carry out these 

 operations. 



Sandstones. The investigation of the sandstones has been con- 

 tinued and the field work has been carried into the region represent- 



