194 V~. REPORT OF PROQRE88. E. W. CLAYPOLE. 



Anot 1km- opening of a similar nature is found about 3 

 miles west of New Bloomfield, on the ground of Mr. Darius 

 Long, by whom it is leased for a royalty of 18 cents per ton. 

 Like the preceding, this opening lies under the southern 

 slopes of Mahanoy ridge, and is geologically on the same 

 horizon— the Marcellus ore bed. The ore is of similar 

 quality, being pipe ore for the most part, and of course 

 needs washing. The bed here also dips almost vertically. 

 so that the labor and cost of working is rapidly increased 

 as it is followed downwards. This is one of the great draw- 

 backs to mining the Perry county ores. If access is ob- 

 tained by a level only a small quantity can be reached, and 

 if by a shaft, the water, in wet seasons especially, is apt to 

 become troublesome. Moreover, every yard in depth means 

 an increase in the cost of raising the ore. At this (Mr. 

 Long's) bank a small steam engine has been erected, which 

 also pumps out the water which is employed for washing 

 it. In dry seasons, such as that of 1881, the supply is 'in- 

 sufficient, the sump being dry by midday, but in wet sea- 

 sons more than enough can be obtained. The shaft is now 

 (December, 1881,) 67 feet deep, and the ore is followed 

 nearly east and west from the bottom of it. The bed is 

 from 4 to 14 feet thick, with a parting of clay dividing it 

 into two smaller beds. This of course is separated in dig- 

 ging it. The yield varies according to the force employed. 

 In December, 1881, I was informed that 100 tons a month 

 of washed ore were brought to bank, and as about half of 

 it is lost in washing this must mean 200 tons of crude ore. 

 It was then worth at Newport, 9 miles off, $3 50 a ton. 



The hematite was followed almost down to drainage level 

 and began to show signs of giving place to the blue carbon* 

 ate of iron, a much less valuable ore, because it needs 

 roasting. This and the growing cost of lifting to the sur- 

 face, and of haulage to Newport, and the diminishing price 

 given at the furnace have combined to reduce the profits 

 below cost, ami the works were suspended in the early part 

 of L883. The ore lias also been proved on the land of Mr. 

 Neilson, near the wesl line of the township. 



