The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-29
The Phosphate Industry.

We find in special report Of the Com
missioner Of Labor the latest statistics
relating to the phosphate industry Of
the United States. The report not only
shows the actual output Of our phosphate
mines. but estimates the period during
which the industry may be expected to
continue.
Mr.. CARROLL D. WRIGHT. the Commits.
sioner Of Labor. points out in his introduce
ton that the value Of the discovery of
phosphates. from an agricultural viewpoint.
| cannot be overrated. Previously to ls41,
| the principal commercial fertilizer had
| been bone dust. but. in the year named.
| guano was introduced from the Chincha
Islands OF Peru. and. owing to the greater
| solubility OF this commodity. the demand
for it rapidly increased. AS time went on.
however. the inadequate and rapidly de-
creasing supply OF guano and bone dust led
to the active development Of the phosphate
industry in South Carolina In 1867, and In
Florida some twenty-one years later. In
1891. the last year for which statistics are
complete. the quantity of phosphate pro.
duced in the United States was 757, 1873 tons.
much the larger portion OF which came
from South Carolina. where. at present. the
mines are most vigorously worked. The
next largest producer OF the fertilizer is
France. which. in the year named. was
credited with 100000 tons. after which
should be placed Belgium with 2OO. 1000 The
entire output OF the world In 1891. outside
OF the United States. was $50. 900 tons.
The homo consumption OF the fertilizer
takes place chiefly in the Southern. East
ern. and Western States. 1t is conspicu-
ously in demand for the cotton crop of the
South. for the fruit and vegetable crops of
the East. and for the grain crops of the
West. AS regards the situation of the
principal deposits. we learn that there are
in South Carolina twenty-three land mines
and seven river mines: that there Is one
land mine In North Carolina. while there
are no fewer than lightweight land mines
and eighteen river mines in Florida The
number OF acres controlled for mining pur-
poses In Florida Is 1888; in North Caro-
lima. $500. and in South Carolina go, 100. or a
total OF 252, 1873 acres. The total en- pital in
vested In plant in Florida Is So. l4O, $50. and
In land. $ll .346.067; in North Car DINA the
plant Is represented by $4,000 and the land
by 100000; in South Carolina the plant Is
worth $2,563.200 and the land S2.92O, 900.
The total average number OF employees
engaged In the production OF phosphates is
OTIS. but this does not include all the labor
In one mine or the skilled labor In two
mines. the facts in relation to which are
not reported. The total amount Of money
expended for labor was s24736l5, and the
average earnings Of miner amounted to
$270 per annum.
We are assured that great pains has been
taken by the Department OF Labor to col
lect trustworthy Information as to the
amount OF phosphates which may rea-
sonably be expected to be delivered here
after from the mines. The quantity In
sight in South Carolina is computed at
100000 tons; In this State. the indus
try at the present rate OF production,
will extend over twenty-eight years from
1891 The quantity Of phosphate visible in
North Carolina, Georgia. and other States
Is put down at 100000 tons. while Florida !
is credited with the enormous quantity of |
l33.O5G.ll6 tons. Taken together. these esti- |
mates show total Of l4s-O56,4l6 tons OF