New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-18
UIDSOV RIVER TOWNS.
BRICK-MAKING Up THE HUDSON

MAGNITUDE or TIE INDrsTRY-LAsr YEARS IN
MENsE PRODUCuON-ALL THE YARDS NOW IN
OPERATION AND nCsY SEASON N PROSPECT
IRON AZ Occasional CORRESPONDENT OF THE TuBrNEl
KINGSTON, y. Y, May l3.-For some years past
the manufacture Of bricks the Hudson has been rap
dy increasing. and this Is among the leading local
titles that industry just previous to the war bricks
aod M nm enormous price bringing for whole
gl4 and Si5 per thousand. Brick men became Wild and
every body rushed into the business at every available
point on the river Caybanks near the channel were
amcst "a valuable gold mines Brckyard sites were
purchased and the necessary plant obtained many cases
wholly on borrowed capital. and by men with little
or no experience IN the business. But the
war came and the building interest became par
alvlcd Bricks suddenly dropped In price,
and a large number Of the manufacturers failed,
carving Of their creditors with them II was not
until some time after the ciose Of the war that the brick
industry began assume IT. former proportions. But
now the business has grown enormous SIZE far sur
passing all previous operations Not "A single yard can
bc found unoccupied the river All the old yards
have been largely extended aud the working facilities
greatly increased by the introduction Of steam and
other modern mechanical appliances; and IN addition
many new wards have been constructed various points
Trustworthy statistics show that the total product Of
tho river section last year amounted TO nearly half
billion bricks. But there IL reason 20 helieve
that "A much larger number IN reality made r. the
following estimate will show: There are about l75
different yards In operation both banks OF The river
Few Of these make lees than 10000 per day and one or
two have n daily capacity 0f l25OOO. Estimating the
average capacity each 10000 per day gives grand
total FOR the seven months Of very nearly
and qunrtcr billion " bricks. Then, dcduciing the
ouartcr billion for losses from bad weather, bid burns
and breakage In handling. round billion n left for
market
one ~ the largest yards on the nyor IL stu
ntrd near Rinrston Point. IN this city Eighteen
10 l.re
haA a river fruntngc Of 400 feet and kiln sheds LOO
feet In length II has eight pits and about thon"and
feet ~ SHIFTING. The machinery II ~ The most NJ
proved construction. Tho clay bank Is ineShAnHtiblc'
md Ia brought near NJ hand from time to time by fhyof
ing landslldcs About 100 men here employed. and
lnrec number NJ horses Nearly 1900 cords OF wood
are now lying near this yard for the seasons consump
,ton Another large yard in this city has o daily ca
pncty Of 10000 In addition 20 these arc ak other
large yards fronting the river this point the eight
yards having weekly productive capacity Of OVER two
million bricks.
The great brckmakng centre OF the river, however II
doubtless on the bank. In Newburg Bay. or Haver
straw where The shore hicky lined with yards for miles
II Ia claimed by these makers that they have superior
clay and make q better grade OF brick than thcr COM
pctito higher up the river. They demand more TOT
their product than what IL termed In the market up
rver brick" this distinction Is now becoming very
indefinite and Ia not always mnintane by builders
Moro care Ia used In the selection OF material az well IA
in tcmpcrng and burning up the river than formerly
and some makers here claim to make as good building
bricks now as made anywhere.
OF manufacturer In Newburg has been constructing
an extensive brlcyard in tho vicinity Of that city which
IA 20 be run scale surpassing OH other operations In
matchmaking, as Is claimed. Another manufacturer, OF
Glnsco has just had an immense barge constructed.
which carry 900 brick at load Several other
wards are located at this point And hon
here 10 Albany and above are numerous
yards dotting both shores Of the river.
All the Yards IN operation most OF them having
been moldng for week past Prices are good and
the demand IA active, I'm spite Of the heavy shipments
bich have been made steadily since the opening Of
navigation The sudden closing Of the river last fall left
an unusually large stock Of bricks In yard all along the
river much 10 the embarrassment OF many firms who
deucnded upon the proceeds Of such sales 10 meet ma
turing liabilities. This stock IL greatly reduced,
and manufacturers everywhere confident OF most
succesafu They believe brick will De made
than before and count on fair prices Good wages
are paid and strikes not expected will be remem-
bered that much annoyance occasoned last season
by a general aud protracted strike among the Hayer-
straw brick laborers IL not probable that any COM
bnntion 20 govern prices viii be effected by manufao-
the IL having been found virtually
impracticable In the past.