THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY 



933 



Throughout the greater part of 1904 a general depression pre- 

 vailed in the iron trade, which was naturally reflected in a decreased 

 demand for ore. That the mining companies were able to maintain 

 operations on a larger scale than in the previous year, despite 

 the unfavorable conditions, must be regarded as creditable to the 

 stability of the industry in this State. Consideration should be 

 given also to the fact that most of the ore has to be sold on the open 

 market, whereas in many districts of the country the mines are 

 operated in connection with blast furnaces which furnish a steady 

 outlet for their product. 



The prospects for the future of iron mining in New York seem 

 encouraging. The high grade magnetic ore produced by the Lake 

 Champlain mines will doubtless continue to be in demand by fur- 

 naces so situated that the transport charges are not excessive. 

 At the largest mines in this section, owned by Witherbee, Sherman 

 & Co., a new magnetic separating plant has been installed which 

 has materially augmented the scope of operations. It is probable 

 that improvements of similar character will be undertaken else- 

 where in the Adirondacks. Plans have been considered for the 

 reopening of the mines near Fort Montgomery, Orange co. The 

 mines are controlled by the Hudson Iron Co. of New York city, 

 which has recently acquired properties in the vicinity of Gouverneur, 

 St Lawrence co., with a view of commencing operations there during 

 the present season. 



The returns for 1904 show that the ore was distributed according 

 to the usual classification as follows: magnetite 559,575 tons, 

 valued at $1,215,415; hematite 54,128 tons, valued at $98,479; 

 and limonite 5000 tons, at nominal valuation. Nearly all of the 

 magnetite came from the Lake Champlain district, and was con- 

 tributed by the mines at Mineville, Essex co., and at Arnold Hill 

 and Lyon Mountain, Clinton co. Outside of this district the only 

 magnetite produced was at Salisbury, Herkimer co. The magnetite 

 was shipped for the most part in the form of concentrates. The 

 hematite was contributed by three mines located at Furnaceville, 

 Wayne co. ; Spragueville, St Lawrence co. ; and at Clinton, Oneida 

 co. The limonite came from one mine at Amenia, Dutchess co. 

 In all there were nine companies reporting as active. 



The following table gives the production of the various kinds 

 of iron ore in New York State during the last 10 years. The figures 

 for 1903 and preceding years have been taken from the reports of 

 John Birkinbine published in the annual volumes of the Mineral 

 Resources. 



