THE MINING AND QUARRY INDUSTRY 



113 



Among the waters that contain mineral ingredients in appreciable 

 quantity, those characterized by the presence of alkalis and alkaline 

 earths are the most abundant in this State. The dissolved salts may 

 exist principally in the form of chlorids and carbonates, as is the 

 case with the springs of Saratoga county, or they may be combined 

 with sulfuric acid to form sulphates, as illustrated by the Sharon 

 and Clifton springs. 



The mineral waters of Saratoga Springs and Ballston are found 

 along fractured zones in Lower Siluric strata. They supply large 

 quantities of table and medicinal waters which are shipped to almost 

 every part of the country. Sodium and potassium chlorids and the 

 carbonates of lime, sodium and magnesium are the main constituents. 

 The amount of dissolved salts in the different waters varies from 

 less than 100 to over 500 grains per gallon. Free carbon dioxid 

 occurs in great abundance and is an important article of commerce. 



The waters at Richfield Springs contain sulfates of the alkalis 

 and alkaline earths, with subordinate chlorids and carbonates and 

 sulfureted hydrogen. They are employed in medicinal baths as 

 well as for drinking purposes. The springs issue along the con- 

 tact of Siluric limestone and Devonic shales. The Sharon springs 

 which lie to the east of Richfield Springs are situated near the con- 

 tact of the Lower and Upper Siluric. Clifton Springs, Ontario co. 

 and Massena Springs, St Lawrence co. are among the other locali- 

 ties where sulfureted waters occur and are utilized. 



The Oak Orchard springs in the town of Byron, Genesee co. are 

 noteworthy for their acid waters, which contain a considerable 

 quantity of aluminum, iron, calcium and magnesium, besides free 

 sulfuric acid. 



The Lebanon spring, Columbia co. is the single representative 

 of thermal springs in the State. h has a temperature of 75 F. 

 and is slightly charged with carbon dioxid and nitrogen. 



In addition to the foregoing, there are a number of localities that 

 afford mineral waters of commercial value. Quite a large industry 

 also is based on the sale of spring waters for table use. Such 

 waters contain very little mineral salts, their value depending upon 

 their freedom from harmful impurities. The Great Bear spring 

 at Fulton may be mentioned as an example of this class. 



List of springs. In the following list are included the names of 

 the leading mineral springs in the State and their location. Nearly 

 all are employed for commercial purposes, or have recently been so 

 employed. 



