The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1906-11-22
North Carolina Stones.
Baltimore Manufacturer Record.

Baltimore Manufacturer Record
The resources of North Carolina
as to building and ornamental stones
are elaborately set forth in Bulletin
No. 2, recently issued by the North
Carolina Geological Survey, Joseph
Hyde Pratt, State Geologist. This
volume was prepared by Prof. Thorn
as L. Watson OF the Virginia Poly
technic Institute, Blacksburg, Va,
and Mr.. Francis B.. Laney OF the
North Carolina Geological Survey,
with the collaboration of Mr.. Geo ge
P. Merrill, curator of the National
Museum OF Washington, d. C.
This bulletin is not claimed to be
either exhaustive or final, but has
been published at this time to call
particular attention to the economic
value Of the building stones ofNorth
Carolina, their location and COM
mercial possibilities, the evidence at
hand showing the State to be we'll
supplied with Il great variety OF
these materials, particularly those
of the granite type, and with the
possible exception of Georgia, to be
better supplied both as to quality
and variety than any OF the other
Appalachian States south of the
New England States. Taking into
considera ton these facts, the mild.
ness of the climate, allowing longer
period OF outside work, and the
cheapness OF labor, this industry
with the proper fostering, should
develop into very extensive one.
This volume, which contains 283
pages, illustrated with % plates and
II figures, is divided into eight chap
ters, with an appendix, of which the
following is a brief synopsis:
Chapter l describes in detail the
essential qualities of building stone,
the surface features of the State and
its geographic position in reference
to other than local markets.
Chapters 2 to Z, inclusive, cover in
detail the varieties, structure, color,
weathering qualities, quarrying and
working and the uses, together with
the geographical distribution of the
GRANTEES, gneisses and associated
crystalline rocks; the dikes and veins
penetrating the crystalline rocks
imestones and marbles; serpentine
and verdantique mables; sandstones
and quartzites and dikes penetrating
the sandstones. These stones are
classified according to counties, and
particular attention is called tC
thoseof known economic value anC
the various quarries worked are de
scribed in detail. Under the heading
of marbles part icular interest is at
tached to u new marble recent,
exposed in a cut in Mitchell count,
it being pure white and OF uniform
texture, and very similar to th'
white marble OF Tate, Ga.
Chapter 8 describes the vario u
methods OF quarrying and working
stone, the many changes in the pas
20 years, due mainly to the intro
duction of machinery, and reference
is made to that particular machiner,
in most general use. This chapte
also covers in detail some OF tn
most important matters to be con
sidered in opening new quarries.
Chapter 8 covers the weatherin,
of building stones and contain
tables showing various tests tha
have been made on stones from di
ferent localities throughout the State
The appendix describes the availa
bility Of stones within the State 70
modern roadbuilding purposes, ais
showing tests made on the ston
suitable for that purpose.
The excellent and systematic maj
ner in which this bulletin has bee
compiled evidences a great amour
OF work and painstaking care on til
part of its authors, who have show
themselves to be thoroughly qualitie
| and complete masters OF their sui
lject-matter. There should be IL
doubt that this volume, judiciousl
distributed and placed in prope
hands, will contribute greatly towar
the expansion along broader lines {
the building and ornamental stou
industry of the State.