52 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



and mineral waters are stored in limestone below the Utica shale, 

 which indicates a Trenton or possibly Beekmantown (Calciferous) 

 horizon. Wells driven through the limestone into the Potsdam have 

 been weakened in force. 1 



The recovery of the carbon dioxid is a special industry, inde- 

 pendent- of the production of mineral waters. About 30 wells have 

 been drilled for gas, though not all are used at one time. It is said 

 that the average well yields about 400 pounds of gas daily, with a 

 flow of five or six gallons of water a minute. The yield can be 

 greatly increased by pumping. The larger plants are now supplied 

 with pumping apparatus operated from central stations and con- 

 nected by pipes with the different wells. The gas is separated from 

 the water at the mouth of the well and is conveyed to a gas holder 

 for storage preparatory to charging into cylinders. 



The carbon dioxid as it comes from the well contains a small 

 percentage of impurities, chiefly air, but it is superior in this respect 

 to the gas produced by artificial methods. Hydrogen disulfid is 

 found, only in traces. A singular feature is the occasional occur- 

 rence of so called " dry wells " which yield little or no water. 



The output is shipped to consumers in steel cylinders. Powerful 

 compressors are employed for charging, and the gas is liquefied and 

 maintained in this state until used. It is sold principally to manu- 

 facturers of carbonated waters. 



There are five companies engaged in the industry. The Natural 

 Carbonic Gas Co. and the Lincoln Spring Co. have plants just out- 

 side of Saratoga* Springs, while the New York Carbonic Acid Gas 

 Co., the Geysers Natural Carbonic Acid Gas Co. and the Champion 

 Natural Carbonic Acid Gas Co. operate at Geysers, 2 miles south- 

 west of the village. 



The average annual production, according to information fur- 

 nished* by J. C. Minor jr, is approximately 4,000,000 pounds. It is 

 estimated that nearly as large a quantity is lost each year by the 

 escape of gas into the air from wells and openings in the vicinity 

 of Saratoga Springs. 



CEMENT 



Hydraulic cement is manufactured in 10 counties of the State. 

 Crude materials adapted for making both natural and Portland 

 cement are widely distributed, and the development of the manufac- 

 turing industry has been governed more by the commercial factors 

 of transportation and proximity to important markets than by any 



'Minor, J. C. jr. Mineral Industry iqoi. 10:772. 



