SCHOHARIE COUNTY DISTRICT. Howe's Cave Association, Howe's Cave, N. Y., employs 25 men; is a tunnel above drainage; is worked on the pillar and room system; works a continuous face; has a scale on roof which is shot down. The mine is in a safe condition. Howe's Cave Lime and Cement Co., Howe's Cave, N. Y., employs 10 men; is a tunnel above drainage; is worked on the pillar and room system. The mine was formerly in good condition, but on account of contract work the mine is tending to a bad condition. Pillars, which were formerly used to support roof, have been cut down or robbed, leaving pillars of improper dimensions. Orders have been issued by the Department to remedy this defect. ONONDAGA COUNTY DISTRICT. In this district the mines are a series of strip pits, and no danger could arise except through the careless use of explosives. IRON DESCRIPTIVE. The iron mines in operation in the State are situated in Essex, Clinton, Columbia, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Dutchess, Putnam and Oneida counties, and nearly all systems and modes of mining are in vogue affording frequent opportunity for accidents, but with a compliance with the State Mining Law and a systematic mode of operating the danger of accidents may be greatly lessened. While the iron business has been on the increase the iron mines in the State have not come up to expectations, on account of competition from the lake region and the southern States, which places the price of ore below a paying basis. While some companies have increased their output, others have |