The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-01-08

rock dS OASIS lOr LQe MANUFACTURE VI
fertilizers. But more potent cause,
perhaps, is to be found in the opening
of new mines, which have come into
fierce competition with Carolina phos-
phate rock.
The competition of Algerian phos,
phate is a most disturbing element
and is creating much uneasiness
amongst the American miners. | en-
close for your information a list OF
exports of this phosphate. This shows
what was sent from one mining CEN
tre only, and will give you some idea
of how rapidly this phosphate is com
ing into favor.
Statement of shipments from the
District of Tebessa:
In 1892, $50 tons; January, 1894,
$40 tons; February, 1894, $40 tons:
March, 1894, 1920 tons; April, 1894,
1,S30 tons; May, 1894, 1920 tons;
June, 1894, 1880 tons; July, 1894, T.,
030 tons; August, 1894, $500 tons:
September, 1894, $3.50 tons; October,
1894, 500 tons; November, 1894, T.
go tons; December. 1894, $50 tons.
Total, 1894, 50, ,240 tons.
January, 1895, 4, $50 tons; February,
1895, 6,100 tons; March, 1895, $500
tons; April, 1895, 1850; May, 1895,
1850 tons; June, 1895, 1890 tons;
July, 1895, 14,500 tons. Total for
seven months, 1895, 81, $40 tons.
1t is estimated by parties in position
to know that the total shipments for
the year 1895 will certainly exceed
100000 tons, and thatin the year 1896
the shipments will be at least 100000
tons. This rock analyzes 70 per cent
and is delivered in England at cost
of five shillings freight as against Il
or Is from this country. Ithas prov
ed entirely satisfactory in manipuia-
ton. By a decree signed by the Pres
ident OF the rench Republic and pub
lished in the Journal Official October
10, 1895, the working Of deposits OF
phosphates in Algeria is regulated by
prescription There is to be an export
duty or royalty on the phosphate of
so centimes per ton, this being equiv
alent to about 10 cents in our money
This is all the royalty the Algerian
miner mas to pay to his Government.
These deposits continue to be eactive.
ly worked, and the production is
steadily increasing. This rock needs
no washing or drying, as is the case
with Carolina rock. Its analysis is
perfectly satisfactory, and it is used
largely by the interior points, com
panies situated in upper Georgia, Ten,
ness-e and other points, who obtain
from it thoroughly satisfactory results.
1t fills the place of the South Carolina
rock perfectly, and is very formida,
BILE competitor.
The total shipments of phosphate
from Florida for the year 1895 aggre-
gated 515,s7S tons. Florida continues
to increase her production. Whilst
a great many of the companies there
have ceased operations, still enough
have been left to keep up very large
production. AS is well known there
are ihree kinds of rock mined in Flor
ida. First, the river rock, which comes
largely from Peace River, and which
resembles in analysisand general char
acter very largely the Carolina rock.
Second. the land pebble rock. which
is mined from the land. consisting OF
a small phosphate pebble, and which
is also similar 10 the land rock IN
South Carolina,
Third, the high grade rock, which
runs up to 10 or so per cent of phos-
phate of lime. This lies in pockets
and is quaried out and shipped with
hardly any other preparation, except
that Of being roasted or burned. The
shipments from Florida are largely on
the increase. Many of the companies
there are, like the companies in South
Carolina, with a large plant invested
which they have to utilize in some
way, and they are satisfied if they can
get in dollar for every dollar they
put our, and so work on, hoping for
better times.
Within the last few weeks new
discovery of phosphate beds in the
Somme district of France has been
made. The locality where this rock
has been discovered has been bought
by a strong French firm for the
amount stated to be one million
francs. The quality of this phosphate
is reported to be from 50 to 70 per cent
phosphate lime, otherwise similar to
the well known phosphate. It il in a
powdery form, and has the further ad-
vantage that the bed of phosphate lies
nearer to the English Channel, and
therefore the freight expenses to the
shipping port will be much lower
than from the other beds. 1t may
therefore be expected that Somme
phosphate will become a stronger
competitor in the phosphate market
than it has been for the last few years.
Large deposits have been discovered
in Venezuela, and shipments have al
ready been made from those mines,
which, when tested, show that they
are all high grade. How far this will
be extended it is now impossible t.
say, but it adds one more to the list OF
newly discovered phosphates with
which our rock has to compete.
Under these conditions deem 1t my
duty to urge upon the board and the
Legislature the question of a reduction
in royalty charged by the State. One
of the largest and most substantial
companiss has absolutely suspended
work because it is impossible 10 contln-
ue. The other companies are going
or on very much reduced scale OF
operations, and it is simply aquestlon
of time when they too will have to
suspend unless there is an improve
ment 10 the phosphate market. The
State then will be deprived of all its
royalty, and not only that, but the In
dustry will receive such black eye
that it will be very hard to receive 1t
again.
Under these circumstances do not
hesitate to express the opinion that
the interest of the State will be best
subserved by reducing the royalty to
25 cents a ton until such time as the