12 THE GRANITES OF MAINE. 
of these same observations can be utilized by the quarry superintend- 
ents also. For example, the value of a quarry site is largely depend- 
ent on the joint system, and an understanding of the distribution 
of knots or other imperfections in the stone will guide quarry opera- 
tions. The discussion of the cause of the discoloration termed " sap " 
also has a practical value, as well as the suggestion as to the use that 
can be made of granite so discolored. 
The arrangement of the data presented in this report is believed to 
favor its use by all classes of readers. The broader facts of the classi- 
fication and description of the Maine granites are separated from the 
local details of individual quarries. The endeavor has been to pre- 
sent all the essential facts relating to the granites of Maine, so that 
the report will be of value to geological students as well as to archi- 
tects, contractors, and quarry owners. It is the plan to follow this 
publication with similar bulletins by the same author describing the 
granites of other parts of New England, so that together these will 
furnish an authoritative report on the granite of this area, which pro- 
duces over GO per cent of the granite output of the country. 
IMPORTANCE OF THE INDUSTRY. 
The statistics of production given on pages 183-184 of this report 
indicate the valuation that should be placed upon the granite industry 
of Maine. In a single county the product of the granite quarries an- 
nually reaches the value of $1,000,000. For the whole State the 
output for 1905' exceeded that for any previous year, its value reach- 
ing nearly $2/750,000. 
Vermont and Massachusetts are the only other States whose gran- 
ite production approaches that of Maine. Both of these, as well 
as several other States, lead Maine in the value of monumental 
granite produced, so it is on the output of building stone that the 
preeminence of Maine depends. The value of Maine granite quarried 
in 1905 for building purposes was over $2,000,000, while in the item 
of dressed granite of this character the production was valued at 
$1,648,687, or nearly one-third of the output of the whole country. 
The next most important product of the Maine granite quarries is 
paving blocks, the amount being over one-seventh of that of the 
United States, and exceeded only by the output of Wisconsin. 
As is shoAvn in this report, the basis of Maine's granite industry is 
largely the position of quarry sites at tide water. This accessibility 
of granite of the best grade makes it possible for the Maine product 
to be an important factor in the markets for building material in 
the cities of the Atlantic seaboard. Some quarries, both on the 
coast and inland, furnish building stone and monumental granite 
of such quality that their product is in special demand. With these 
advantages the granite industry in Maine deserves consideration as 
one of the more important assets of the State. 
