Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-17
THE RICHMOND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. sEPTEMBER 10 1907
but objectionable because Of their slip-
periness, which, in English practice, has
Z heen& overcome hs the form of the mould

but Objectionable because OF their slip
! pefiness. which. in English practice, has
! been overcome by the form OF the mould
used.
The manufacture Of Stag brick can
hardly be considered as being more than
a Specialized phase the manufactur
Of Stag cement. On Issuing from the oricK
machine the bricks are placed on racks
to dry. which Ia ties from SIX to ten days,
at the end Of which time the bricks are
| ready for use Stag bricks are light IN
color; they weigh less than clay br1eks
Of equal size, require less mortar IN lay
ing up, and are equal to clay bricks In
crushing strength.
The highly phosphate slags produced
by basic Bessemer converters are vaiua-
bic fertilizers. and in Germany. especial
r., large quantities are annualiy solo
under the name of Thomas s1lcate.
These phosphate slags are more eIllclent
as fertilizers than the mineral phospnates.
The slight development of the basic Bes-
semer steel industry in the United States
necessarily renders the use of these phos-
phatic slags Of less commercial lmpor-
lance than in Europe During 1901 about
LOCO tons OF phosphate slaEs produced
in the United States were sold"as 1ertiii-
ger This American material mas peen
tested by the American Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station. which reports thal
Stag phosphate gave greater total yleid
than did any of the other insoluble phos-
pilates The s1ags produced in steel plants
using the open-hearth process are less
valuable as fertilizers than those, pro-
duced by basic Bessemer converters, as
they contain less phosphoric acid ana more
silica and lime than the basic Bessemer
slags.
over half the material marketed as
| mineral WOOL or "silicate cotton is de-
rived from Stag, the remainder being man
ufactured, from natural rocks OF several
different types. During 1901 about 5.ooo
tons of mineral wool were made from
slags in the United States. The most inn
portant property of Stag wool from a
commercial point of view is that 1t is a
very poor conductor Of heat, which prop
erty renders it valuable for all uses for
which non-conductor is desirable, as
steam pipe coverings. safe Innings. ETC.
Stag has been utilized in the Hanufac-
ture of paint stock. in the preparation OF
alum, and, in small quantities. IN the
manufacture of inferior grades OF glass
About 5000 tons of Stag were sold IN
1901 in the United States for use in con-
structing macadam highways and for
railroad ballast. Sections of roads con-
structed in New Jersey with Stag macad-
am under State supervision. have proved
entirely satisfactory. Stag has been used
in highway construction to some extent
near Buffalo, N Y, to greater extent
in Pennsylvania and Alabama. and most
extensively in the counties of Baltimore,
Howard, and Prince George, Md. whore,
under certain conditions, 1t has been
found a highly satisfactory road material.
In several States, notably in Alabama.
Stag is largely used as railroad ballast.
Large quantities of Stag are also used for
retaining land and filing abandoned
mine workings.