132 SLATE DEPOSITS AND INDUSTRY OF UNITED STATES. 
As will be seen from the above tables, the values from 1879 to 1889 do not repre- 
sent the entire value of slate quarried, as no record of slate used for mantels, school 
slates, pencils, tombstones, etc., was kept. In 1885 there was a large decrease in the 
average value per square compared with 1884 — from $3.83 in 1884 to $3.05 in 1885. 
From 1885 to 1892 both the price and production increased in value, but owing to i 
the financial troubles of 1893 the output decreased considerably, or from a total 
value of $4,117,125 in 1892 to $2,523,173 in 1893. Since that time the value of the 
output has steadily increased, being aided largely since 1896 by export trade, until 
in 1903 the value of the output was $6,256,885, the greatest yet obtained. In 1903, 
however, while the beginning of the year showed active operations in the slat 
industry, the latter part of the year showed a very decreased demand, due to strike 
in the building trades. Several of the chief producing States showed decreased out 
put of roofing slates, with increased price. This is shown in the increase of averc 
price from $3.45 per square in 1902 to $3.88 in 1903, and by a decrease of 56,974 
squares- from 1, 135, His squares in 1902 to 1,378,194 squares in 1903 — while the valuenjl 
increased from $4,950,428 in L902 to $5,345,078 in 1903, a gain of $394,650. In 1904. 
the beginning of the year showed the same unsettled state, with less demand and<U 
slightly lower price, the total value of roofing slate decreasing $675,789 in 1904, on] 
from $5,345,078 in L903 to $4,669,289 in 1904. The number of squares also decreased 
from 1,378,194 squares in 1903 to 1,233,757 squares in 1904, or 144,437 squares. The 
value of mill stuck lias steadily increased, the demand being continually increased 
by the increased use for which this class of slate is continually demanded. 
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. 
IMPORTS. 
The importation of slate into this country has never assumed very great proportions^ 
and the largest quanity was of course imported before the slate quarries of the UnitM 
States were fairly developedand in running order. The following tables, taken fron 
the reports of the Bureau of Statistics, Department of Commerce and Labor, show thi 
value of roofing slate and other slate, chiefly slate mantels, chimney pieces, etc., b]>\ 
fiscal years ending .June 31 from 1867 to 1904. From 1867 to 1875 the total value pi 
annum amounted to somewhat over $100,000, the value of the roofing slate averaginj 
two-thirds <»f the whole. In 1875 there was a decided drop in the value of roolin; 
slate imported, and since that time the imports of roofing slate have amounted t 
practically nothing, in the last twenty years the annual value of all imported slat 
ha- decreased from $50,739 in 1884 to s<,),436 in 1904. 
The following table shows the value of roofing and other slates imported an< 
entered for consumption in the United States, by fiscal years ending June 30, fron i 
L867 to L904, inclusive: 
Value of roofing <iu</ other slate imported and entered for consumption in the United State* 
1867 t<> 1904, inclusive. 
Year. 
Roofing 
slate. 
1867 
118,776 
85,364 
107 .")jl 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
117,484 
1872 
107,192 
91,503 
80, 519 
is:.; 
1874 
Other, 
Total. 
837,510 
8122,714 
16,045 
134, 821 
19, 602 
104, 966 
19,879 
127, 400 
21,381 
138, 865 
25, 925 
133,117 
26,643 
118,146 
27, 519 
108, 038 
Year. 
Roofing 
.slate. 
1875 816,342 
1876 2,051 
1877 4 
1878 275 
1879 620 
1880 72 
L881 2 
1882 154 
Other. 
842, 022 
44, 266 
34, 479 
39,935 
46, 260 
51,165 
46, 862 
45, 774 
Total. 
858, 3i 1 1 
46,3! 'I 
34,4! & 
40,2 ) 
46,81 J 
• r 'l,2:?! 
16,8 I 
