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American Phosphates. 



American Phosphates. 



The variety and extent of the American phosphate business 

 has now grown to be very large. The rock is divided into 

 three principal classes, known to the trade as Carolina land 

 and river rock, Florida hard rock and pebble, and Tennessee 

 black rock, each possessing its own peculiar advantages, 

 viewed from a commercial standpoint. 



Carolina rock is found along the margins of the navigable 

 rivers in the State of that name, and also in the beds of the 

 rivers. As much of it is conveniently near to main railway 

 lines, it is quickly mined, and can be delivered cheaply 

 alongside of steamers and sailing vessels for shipment abroad ; 

 it is also easy to load on railway cars for consumption in the 

 interior. 



The Florida phosphate deposits are found in nearly every 

 part of that State, the hard high grades, however, being con- 

 fined to the northern, central, and western sections, and the 

 pebble rock being found in the old and new river beds. The 

 character of the rock is about the same in average quality 

 and variety as that found elsewhere, although a large part of 

 it is difficult to handle, many of the deposits being situated: 

 more or less remotely from ports and railways. 



The phosphate discoveries in Tennessee during recent years 

 show the rock to be of different quality from the Carolina and 

 Florida deposits. In appearance it is of darker colour, 

 denser, and does not need washing or grinding ; it is of good 

 grade, but is generally found at remote interior points, so 

 distant from railway stations and shipping places as to entail 

 considerable expense in getting it to market. The nearest 

 water outlet for Tennessee rock is at Pensacola, situated on 

 the extreme western Gulf coast of Florida, at a distance of 

 about 400 miles from the phosphate beds. 



The use of Canadian apatite in the United States has been 

 materially checked of late years by the competition 

 of the French rock from Algiers and Tunis, and it 

 is believed that the depression in the demand for 

 apatite is most likely to be permanent Indeed, it seems quite 

 probable that in time the Algerian mines will yet become an 

 important competitor in European markets with the 



