AND COAL. F. 101 



limestone. At the present time, however, no ore is taken 

 from this bed. Distance from furnace and cost of carriage 

 combine with low prices to render mining in the Hamilton 

 fossil ore an unprofitable pursuit. 



Oriskany ferruginous beds. 



Iron ore also occurs at several other horizons in the 

 county, but on none so far as I have been able to learn in 

 quantity that offers any hope of profitable working. 



A hard siliceous ore occurs near or at the top of the Oris- 

 kany sandstone, but is of no value. It often misleads 

 farmers by inducing them to think that a valuable bed of 

 ore exists, but all labor in seeking it is thrown away. 

 Northeast of Blain the Oriskany sandstone itself is very 

 ferruginous. 



Near Gibson's rock on the land of Mr. H. Smith, and 

 also on that of Mr. Gibson, this ore exists, and has been 

 dug out and ground for ocher. It is said to yield a base of 

 good quality for mixing paints, and has been used to some 

 extent for that purpose. It also makes some show near 

 Bixler's mill, in Madison township. 



Portage-Chemung iron ore. 



A deposit of liver- colored ore has been observed at one 

 place on the land of Mr. S. Brown between Newport and 

 New Bloomfteld. It lies on the top of the Portage-Chemung 

 sandstone, is at this place of good thickness, but its quality 

 is doubtful. It certainly does not extend far, as there is 

 no sign of it in the same situation a mile away An exam- 

 ination by Mr. McCreath shows that it is a lean ore, and 

 utterly worthless. 



Catskill iron ore. 



A seam or perhaps several seams of red specular hematite 

 of good weight and excellent quality may be found travers- 

 ing the Catskill rocks in several parts of the county, es- 

 pecially in the southern or Oakgrove syncline. Its yield of 

 iron is shown in the appended analysis by Mr. A. S. Mc- 

 Creath : 



