Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-04
OUR LETTER BOX.
THE MINERAL PRODUCTIONS OF ALABAMA FOR JANUARY AND
 FFBRUARYyse'1"

At the December meeting Of the Ala ba- ma Industrial and Scientific society, res- olutions were adopted that the society | should cooperate with the state geolo- gist in an endeavor to obtain monthly reliable statistics of the production of mineral and the products manufactured therefrom for publication. inNorder to at tract the attention of the outside world to the resources and extent of the oper- ationS being carried on in the mineral industry in Alabama.
 Of course Ike all attempts to inaugu- rate new policies there has been consid- erable delay in obtaining, and to a cer- tain extent an incompleteness in the re-
 turns was given by producers since the first of the year. i1z 'r9
 However, it is with a good daal of sat isfaction that the society-aAd geological survey are able to publish to the world reliable figures, showing the, amount of
 business already done, and enable those interested to draw comparisons between the monthly returns for January and February of this year and the average returns as ascertained from the statistics compiled for the entire year for the same month of 1897. >- -.,.r= .-,-.
 . From these returns the following totals flor January and February have been compiled
 Ma teria1. t'3aa D.. 2 -sss Tons. Coal .. .. :. .. .. ..o..7l. .g.. ...:s30,0 Pig iron -. ... :. -, .- .. ..I34,13 Coke s.sib., ..e..1-.lyo,15a Iron ore. :. .. .-..-,..e ..s,.~., 0.026 Limestone for fiux.. .- ..i.... !, 40,00O fl When these totals are compared with the totals for the entire year of 1896. and an ayyrage taken to show the product for tEa same length of time during that year. we have the following figures on which to base a comparisons:
 Material. Tons. Coal. .. .. =. q. .. ,.,...,.... .. 1858, ,849 Tig iIoh.' ..i.. sa4..a'sot, I'afdd44o, d4o,ood ,ood Iron ore. SIG, OSs ,OSS I have not at hand, and consequently have not included it in this list The figures for the twnsn9ogft hssof taisnyear compared with those for the same period last year show a very close relation, and if no unforeseen circumstances trans pire to affect the industry during the rest of the year, Ala bama will ptobably during 1897 produce an increased Aquan- tfty of minerals and the products there from.
 above do not represent the entire, min eral industry of labama because the mining of beauvite. the quarrying of
 building stone and the quarrying of
 dosomite and limestone used for quick lime are not included alf -Hftil ,4Lt' The metal mining industry in the state
 promises during 1891 to become of more importance than has ever been the case during any recent year. In fact, the statement that the published results
 
 very satisfactory during the present year, is fully warranted from the sys- tematic work which is being done in Clay, Clebur4s, Randolph and Tarla- poosa counties at the present time. It will be impossible to obtain monthly statistics cf productions from metal mines for some time to come. because the principal work being carried on is rather of a prospecting nature than a productive. There are, however, some gold mines in Alabama today, which are sending the bullion to hints with regu- larity. In future 1t will be the endeavor to give monthly the total number of feet in drifting. cross-cutting. and sinking at the metal mines which are being op- erated. From these figures a. better idea
 will be conveyed of the progress in each mine than if the products or mine re- turns were given from the producing miEes. ...-.
 In future it will also be the endeavor of the state geologist to enlarge the sta tistical table as well as to give it to the press at an earlier date each month In extending these ta bles due attention will be given to the production of beaux- ite, lime and building stone. and if pessi- ble the record will include the total num- Der of employees engaged in the mineral Industry in the state. -@ "fs
 .of- EUGENE SMITH. State Geologist and Secretary Alabama
 Industrial and Scientific Society. University of Afaba ma, April 21. 1897.