248 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—15TH ANNUAL REPORT 
attractive product and is used in lieu of hard limestone, sandstone, or 
crystalline rocks that would have to be imported. 
Many gypsum products, principally hollow blocks, have also been 
widely used for inside walls, fireproofing, and similar work, where 
the strength of the material is not of prime importance and where there 
is no exposure to atmospheric conditions. 
All of the above-mentioned forms of building material have been 
used in lieu of clay products. 
ATTITUDE OF SOME CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS TOWARD FLORIDA 
PRODUCTS 
In the past, the average common and face brick supplied to Florida 
markets by Georgia and Alabama producers have been of superior 
quality to those produced by some local manufacturers. This condition, 
augmented by the propaganda advanced by local dealers emphasizing 
the higher quality of Georgia brick, in order to justify higher prices for 
them, has resulted in a prejudice against local products. Many architects, 
contractors and builders have been influenced by this sentiment and have 
insisted upon Georgia or Alabama products. Many of the local brick- 
makers are responsible for this attitude toward local brick in that they 
have taken little care or pride in the manufacture of their ware and have 
been content to supply a product of decided inferior quality. Some 
producers have made and more are making common brick that can 
compete favorably with any of the outside products. 
In this connection it is interesting to note that in a series of tests 
made on several Florida, Georgia and Alabama products being con¬ 
sidered for use in the recent extension of the Capitol at Tallahassee, 
the Florida products were found to be superior, and were used. Local 
brick have also been accepted by the federal architect for use in the 
Post Office building at Apalachicola. 
ADAPTABILITY OF FLORIDA PRODUCTS 
As has been pointed out, no Florida clays known at present, are 
suitable for the commercial production of paving brick, sewer-pipe, and 
the very highest qualities of face brick. All other structural materials 
made from clays can be produced in the State. Many of the clays now 
being used for mediocre products can, with the exercise of a little care in 
