120 Indiana University Studies 



follow and the selection of the different grades of stone is left to 

 each individual quarrjanan. This allows a wide variation in 

 what is called ^'Al" stone; for what one quarryman with a good 

 quarr}^ would call second-grade stone might be exactly the same 

 kind of stone that another operator would be putting on the 

 market as ''AT'. 



If a selection is to be made on the basis of grain or color 

 alone there will be about as many grades of stone as there are 

 quarries in the district. Bids are made on the basis of a single 

 sample, with the result that, since the quarrymen are in the habit 

 of sending out selected stone, as samples, in most cases they are 

 unable to furnish any large amount of stone that is strictly like 

 the sample submitted. This causes a tendency on the part of 

 the builders to become altogether too stringent in their specifica- 

 tions, and much dissatisfaction results. The stone trade would 

 be greatly benefited if every operator would exercise more care 

 in the selection of his samples. It would be a benefit if the present 

 method could be done away with and a single standard grade of 

 stone be adopted. In other words, if all the stone could be sold 

 as a single grade, it could be put out at a higher price than is now 

 charged for the lower grades, and the larger output would give a 

 greater profit than the present system. The following table 

 gives in general the grades recognized and the average prices 

 paid for each grade: 



QUARRY BLOCKS 



"Al" buff 



"Al" blue (fine-grained) 



Trade buff 



Trade blue 



Mixed stone, part buff and part blue 



25 cents per cubic foot. 

 25 cents per cubic foot. 

 20 cents per cubic foot. 

 20 cents per cubic foot. 

 13 cents per cubic foot. 



To these prices must be added 5 cents per cubic foot if the 

 blocks are scabbled. The higher grades of stone are the ones 

 shipped long distances, the New York market especially demand- 

 ing the best grade. 



Every mill operation the stone undergoes increases its price. 

 The cost of some of the simpler operations is as follows (per 

 cubic foot) : 



Sawing on two sides 15 cents. 



Sawing on four sides 30 cents. 



Sawing on six sides 45 cents. 



Planing — Charge made according to the surface area planed and the shape 

 and weight of the stone. 



