PRODUCTION OF PHOSPHATE ROCK. 
159 
The production of hard rock during 1910 as in the preceding 
year records a decided falling off. The amount mined during 1909 
was 527,582 tons, while during 1910 the output fell to about 392,088 
tons. The production for 1908, 768,011 tons, is the maximum out¬ 
put for the hard rock fields, and unless the phosphate market ma¬ 
terially improves is likely to remain the maximum. 
As in former years the hard rock is consigned largely to foreign 
markets, although the amount of hard rock used within the United 
States is gradually increasing. The hard rock consigned for use in 
the United States during 1910 was 18,745, as against 17,456 during 
1909. The amount exported during 1910 Avas about 461,353 tons. 
Pebble Phosphate Eock. 
While the production of hard rock Avas further reduced during 
1910, the production of pebble phosphate was materially increased. 
The amount of pebble mined during 1909 Avas 1,334,569 long tons. 
For the year 1910 the production of pebble rock amounted to 1,637,- 
709 long tons, an increase of 303,140 tons. A proportionate in¬ 
crease during 1911, which is probable, will carry the production of 
pebble rock above 2,000,000 tons. Fifteen companies operated in 
the land pebble section during the year, and at least one new com¬ 
pany is preparing to operate during 1911. 
The shipments of pebble phosphate to points within the United 
States increased during 1910 OA^er 1909. The consignments within 
the United States for 1909 amounted to 819,761. Consignments to 
points within the United States during 1910 amounted to about 
995,728 tons. Foreign shipments for 1909 were 509,341 tons, Avhile 
during 1910 foreign shipments amounted to 606,110 tons. 
The statistics given above are based upon reports of production 
kindly supplied by the phosphate operators, and are essentially com 
plete, although the output of two of the smaller hard rock mines 
on which reports are lacking are estimated. The amount exported 
is that shown by the export shipments from the several ports, the 
totals of which have been compiled by The American Fertilizer. 
With these returns the consignments during the year reported to the 
Survey by the operators substantially agree. 
