Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-06-26

We have received advance sh Gets of n
report on the mineral production of the
United States for the year 1883 and 1884,
prepared by Mr.. Albert Williams, Jr.,
chief of the division of mining statistics
and technology of the United States Geolog-
ical Survey. The facts given in this re-
port are of very great interest, not only to
those interested in mining operations, but
to the public in general, for the reason
that our national prosperity depends so
largely upon our mineral productions.
Next to the products of the soil, the pro-
ducts of the mine are tue chief Deepen
dence of most countries; and this is es-
pecially true of our own land, with its
vast industrial and manufacturing enter
prises which can be carried forward ONLY
as the necessary materials are furnished
from the subterranean storehouses of ma
ture.
The report before us shows, as would
naturally be expected, that the first in
quantity and value of our mineral pro
ducts is coal The total production of
coal, exclusive of that used at the mines,
was, of Pennsylvania anthracite 30, rs, 293
long tons ; bituminous and other Goals,
including small lots of anthracite mined
elsewhere than in Pennsylvania, &c, SO, 112
tons: total about ninety-seven and half
million tons The value of the an
thracite was SCI ,436, $50; of other
coal S1O219, Sol total, Sl3l ,G56 141.
About II million tons less anthracite were
produced in 1854 than in the year previous,
and its value at the mines was about -,
lbs hD in no. l.;
coal mined was about 100000 tons more
and its value about $1,000, 600 less than in
1883. The total coal product was greater
by about 100000 tons than the previous
year, and its value nearly $4,000, 900 less.
The product of crude petroleum for 1854
was about n, 100000 barrels, with Il value
of about $50, 800, 900. There was an increase
in amount of more than half a million
barrels in 1883, and decline in value OF
S5,25OOOO.
Four million tons of pig iron was made
during lNS4, IL decrease of about half Il
million tons The total value Of all the
facture for the year was SlOi 200. 600. about
>35.0OO,0OO less than the previous year.
The report estimates the product of
gold at $50, NOO,OoO, and OF silver at SIS. 900.
900, an increase Of something less than a
million in gold, and of two and IA halt
millions in silver, over 1883.
The amount of copper produced wa,
about l45,OO0OO0 pounds. worth nearly
SiS.O0J,O 600. The value of the total copper
product was nearly the same as in lS>3
but the quantitywas greater by 2SOOO.OOC
pounds. The lead product was llO,O
tons, worth about Sl0,5U0Oo0. The pro
duct of zinc was $4,000 tons, worth -, 800,
OOO
The total value of the metallic mineral,
produced in the country for 1854 wa,
SlSG.OOO,OOO, and of nOn-metalllc minerals
including coal, petroleum, building stone
natural gas and all substances not of
metallic nature derived from the earth
S221 100000. The decline in value from
1888 was nearly $40, 100000, though the az
tual quantity produced was greater
| This immense cheapening in the cost t,
consumers of these great mineral pro
ducts must prove IA large factor in TIN
coming revival of the extensive manufac
turing interests dependent for prosperit,
on cheap iron, coal and copper.