The Lamar register., 1891-10-24
SOARSTONE.
A Mineral Which Has LatsIy Been Usst
In EiraDrao( Duf

a M1ner1t which Has LAtaly Been Usod
In Fireproof Paints.
An industry of which there 10 but
little said excepting In a general way,
but which is, however. none the less
important, is the production OF soap
stone There are but comparatively
few people who are familiar with the
various features OF this commodity,
and some facts treating upon the in
dustry will. doubtless prove OF in
terest.
In the first place, soapstone, or
more technically speaking. steatite, is
mineral Of soft and flexible nature
and consisting principally of silica.
magnesia and more or less alumina
aud water. 1t has an oily feeling
quite suggestive of a piece of wet
soap, und is OF three Or four different
colors. although mostly OF whitish
cast Large quantities are quarried
in parts OF New England and the mid
die states the surplus coming from
Pennsylvania and New hampshire.
Its applications are numerous and
varied Cotton manufacturers use 1t
extensively on the sizing of rollers.
Its great durability in withstanding
excessive heat renders it valuable in
lining furnaces for the reduction OF
ore by Guxes, and in lining ranges
etc. Lately il has been used in the
manufacture OF a freproof, waterproof
and acidproof paint where it gives
much satisfaction. For the preserve
ton OF limestone or sandstone build
ings during atmospheric changes it al
oil ha fat Il
hero that in China some OF the soft
stone buildings covered with paint
made from powdered soapstone have
been kept intact for centuries In its
powdered form it is also largely used
as lubricant and as an Ingredient in
the manufacture of some kinds Of
steam packing. Some other of its in
stances OF usefulness are in the manu-
facture OF cooking utensils and sinks
in the preparation of hides, in the
adulteration of soap paper and rub
ber. in use where a hot box is occur
ring. in polishing glass, marble, etc.
and in thousand other ways. SO we
can see what prominent position 4,
occupies among American industries
During the year. 1889. says the
American Cultivator there were ~. :
7lS tons OF this mineral produced ut a
value OF s23l. 70S. 1t IS authentically y
stated that the birth OF this industry
dates back to the time OF the American
aboriginals. Doubtless the use o!
soapstone in cooking vessels was an
idea OF this race, as all along the Cal.
ifornia coast and. in fact, in nearly
all productive parts OF the counseS.
have been found uumistakable evidt at. 1
of previous existence of the industry.
The natives had much mora Difficult;
time in shaping the various articles
than we are aware, rs notwithstand-
ing the soft and flexible nature of tn c
material. It must be remembered that
they had 10 perform their work with
tools OF stone parts OF antlers and
sometimes even of wood Probably
the most elaborate OF these soapstoue
manufactures were pipes which are
said to have been very beautiful in
shape and OF q most exquisite finish
At place in New York state called
Gouverneur is found a specie OF soap.
stone known as fbrous tale, which is
especially valuable as q filler in the
manufacture of the medium qualltie;
OF paper. The tale is crushed into
small particles, ground with buhi
stones, and then placed in large iror
cylinder together with quantity o.
flint peoples which. while revolving,
reduce the tale TO required degree
OF figcuess by friction