The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-01

to make significant factor in the total
value, it is much ,steadier, and in spite
of the extra demand for it in order to
produce any extra supply of iron. The
Increased output of iron in 1895 was neces-
sary because of the great retrenchment
i'm 1894. The railroads ordered as little
iron AS possible in that year, but ordered
freely in 1895 to the advantage of prices
while they were still low, but advancing.
This advance was n marked industrial
feature of the year and continued until
September. The prices of steel rails have
not yet declined again.
The United States shared in the general
increase in the gold production, the in
crease being shown in nearly all the gold
producing States, but coming principally
from Cripple Greek, and other new camps
in Colorado. The gain i'll the quantity
of petroleum, but especially the phenom
email increase in its price, was one of the
great features of the year. The steady
Increase in the gold product since 1892
was kept up during 1895, increasing from
1,101.Sl6 ounces in 1894 to 2,273, 500
ounces in 1895, the value of the latter be-
ing $50, 800, 600. Silver production fell
to 1900, 600 ounces from 49, sol, 122
ounces in 1894, with coming values re-
spectively of $50, 766, 300 and $64, 000, 600
Copper domestic ore productions al
lowed the upward tendency of the other
metals and increased over 2O,000,0 600
pounds, or $500, 900. The rapidly in
creasing product of zinc, which was
checked in 1898 and 1894, was resumed.
The declining tendency in iron and steel
productions in 1894 was changed in 1895
to one of the most remarkable increases
in production of pig iron in the history
of the industry in the United States. 1t
rose from q, 657, 1888 long tons in 1894 to
DAG, 30S tons in 1895, or nearly AZ per
cent. This is the largest product ever
attained in this country, the nearest APP
proach to it being in 1890 The value
also increased from S9.76 to $11.13 per
ton. Iron ore production increased over
81 per cent, and with but six exceptions
all of the iron ore producing States par
tcipated in this advance.
The total product of coal of all kinds
increased 20, 376, 00i long tons, or %, 0S1,
124 short tons, or l3 per cent. The value
of the product increased S1l ,627 40,
about 6 per cent. The year was marked
by a production considerably in excess
of the market demands. and values were
much reduced in consequence. Anthra-
cite decreased 10 cents per long ton at the
mines and bitumnous q cents. This de-
cline in value was general throughout
the United States, there being but three
or four omparatively unimportant States
whose value was larger in proportion in
1895 than in 1894
Petroleum production showed notable
increase, especially in Ohio, Indiana and
California; and the years other features
are decrease in stocks, rise in prices. and
extension Southwark of profitable pro
ducing districts in the Appalachian
range.
The coke product in 1895 was largest
and the previous year the smallest in
recent years. This fuctuation is caused
by the rise and decline of the pig iron
product, in the manufacture of which al
most the entire output is consumed
The phosphate rock products for the
first time reached ii million long tons,
1,007,713, worth -, 497,9lS The chief
feature is the fierce competition of the
river pebble deposits on Peace river in
Florida 1t is probable that the present
low prices will gradually rise this year.
Most of the products, including lead,
quicksilver, manganese ore, aluminium,
antimony, nickel, platinum, limestone
for iron iux, Gypsian salt, and cement,
showed an increase. but there were nota-
bic decreases in natural gas, stone, soap
stones Feldspar fell p per cent. in pro
ducton and precious stones $lS,6 500 in
value.