THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY 



945 



Upper Devonic. The petroleum varies from amber to black 

 in color, and usually contains a large proportion of lubricating 

 oils. 



The first well in New York was drilled at Limestone, Cattaraugus 

 co. in 1865. The Allegany field was opened some 15 years later. 

 In 1902 there was a total of 8443 producing wells in the territory, \ 

 while the number drilled since the beginning largely exceeds that 

 figure. Compared with other oil fields of the country, the records 

 indicate that the wells have a very long life, but their average 

 yield is small, being less than one half barrel per day. The in- 

 dustry is favored, however, by the superior grade of oil produced, 

 which commands a high price at the refineries, and by the occurrence 

 of gas in quantities that generally suffice to furnish the power nec- 

 essary for pumping. During the last few years the market con- 

 ditions have been unusually satisfactory and have stimulated 

 activity in working the wells and in the exploration for new ter- 

 ritory. 



The output of petroleum in 1904 as indicated by the shipments 

 of companies operating pipe lines in the State amounted to 

 1,036,179 barrels of 42 gallons. At an average of $1.65 per barrel, 

 the value of the production was $1,709,770. Since 1890 the 

 output has fluctuated within narrow limits, the totals varying 

 little from that of last year. The following companies have 

 pipe lines in New York territory: The Allegany Pipe Line Co., 

 Columbia Pipe Line Co., Union Pipe Line Co. and the Vacuum 

 Oil Co., of Wellsville N. Y., and the Tide-Water Pipe Co. Limited, 

 of Bradford Pa. 



PYRITE 



The mining of pyrite has been carried on intermittently in 

 New York State for several years, but the production has never 

 attained much importance. The only deposits that have been 

 worked recently are in the vicinity of Canton and Gouverneur, 

 St Lawrence co. The ore is low grade, running from 30 to 35%, 

 but by concentration the sulfur can be brought up to 45 or 50%. 

 It is free from objectionable impurities and well adapted for acid 

 burning. Considering the fact that the deposits are favorably 

 situated with regard to market, it would seem that they are worthy 

 of greater attention than has been given them. The sulfite paper 

 mills in this section of the State consume large quantities of sulfur 

 in the form of sulfurous acid, and there is no apparent reason why 

 it should not be supplied by the local mines. 



'Bureau of the Census. Mines and Quarries. 1902. 



