account of the poor market and low price of ore, the company works but four shafts, which are in good condition.

COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Hudson River Ore and Iron Co., Burden, N. Y., employs 40 men; has five slopes. On account of the dull iron market works but one. Operates on the pillar and room system and is in good condition. The works suspended November 16th.

DUTCHESS COUNTY.

Amenia Mining Co., Amenia, N. Y., employs 44 men. The The supervision is good, and danger would improper use of explosives. The mine is

mine is an open pit. arise only from the in safe condition.

ONEIDA COUNTY.

James B. Paddon, Clinton, N. Y., employs 13 men; is a drift above drainage; operated on the long wall advancing system and a continuous face. The mine is in a safe condition. This company mines red hematite ore for the manufacture of paint.

L. K. Elliott, Clinton, N. Y., employs 9 men at mining red hematite ore for the manufacture of paint; works on the long wall advancing system. At the last inspection the mine was in a safe condition.

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

High Falls Sulphite Pulp and Mining Co., Pyrites, N. Y., employs 75 men; works one slope on the pillar and room system. Has two working faces and is in good condition. The supervision is good. This company mines iron pyrites for the manu

TALC DESCRIPTIVE.

The

The talc mines are situated in St. Lawrence county. mining is done by means of shafts and slopes. The "pillar room and also the "level" systems are used. On account of the nature of the ore (it being slippery and treacherous), a very close watch of the mine is at all times necessary. A number of them were found in bad condition on first inspection, mostly on account of the very dangerous modes of ingress and egress; also on account of careless storing and handling of explosives. With the frequent inspection by the department and compliances on the part of mine owners with orders issued, looking to additional precautions for safety, the mines are at the present time in a safe condition for operation.

The International Pulp Company, Taleville, N. Y., employs 100 men, works five slopes, both on the "level," pillar and room system. The company employs two mining superintendents, and in consequence the mines are in a safe condition.

United States Talc Company, Taleville, N. Y., employs 14 men, works one slope on the level system. This mine pitches about 60 degrees, and one pillar was left as a support for the roof under the old mode of working, when the skip way was changed, on account of a slip at the bottom of the pillar. The pillar fell, since which time the mine has been worked on the level system, and no pillars are left. The supervision is good and the mine is in a safe condition.

Columbia Talc Company, Fullerville, N. Y., employs 15 men, and works one slope on the level system. The management is good and the mine is in a safe condition.

American Tale Company, Fowler, N. Y., employs 9 men, works one slope on level system and is in safe condition.

Kellar Bros. Pulp Company, Fowler, N. Y., employs 3 men, works one slope and was, at last inspection, in good condition. Kellar Bros., in the year 1896, operated the old Kellar mine, which was in bad condition, and orders were issued from the department to make the mine safe but were disregarded, and

they abandoned the mine. The mines will not be permitted to begin operations again unless they are made safe.

GARNET DESCRIPTIVE.

North River Garnet Company, North River, Warren county, N. Y., employs 45 men. The mine is an open pit above drainage and under good management, is in first-class condition. The separation of the rock and garnet was formerly done by hand, but the North River Garnet Company have a large separator connected with their mines, thus dispensing with the slow process of hand picking. The deposit of garnet is quite extensive, and with an increasing demand the industry will become an important one.

SALT DESCRIPTIVE.

The salt mines are situated in Livingston county. The mining is done by shaft, pillar and room system. The shafts are from 1,000 to 1,500 feet in depth, and are provided with improved machinery; exhaust fans are in use. The mines are lighted by electricity, and have electric signals. These mines are considered the safest in the State. The gangways, drifts and tunnels are driven through solid salt, and when the fresh air, impreg nated with moisture, comes in contact with the salt, it hardens, thus making the pillars, breasts and walls very secure, and a falling of rock or salt from the roof is unknown.

The Retsof Mining Company, Retsof and Livonia, N. Y., employs 160 men; has one shaft in operation; works on the pillar and room system; has a perfect system of ventilation, and is in good condition.

The Greigsville Salt Mining Company at Greigsville has one shaft in operation, has perfect ventilation, works on the pillar room system, and is in good conditon; works 130 men.

GRAPHITE DESCRIPTIVE.

American Graphite Company, Graphite, Warren county, N. Y employs 38 men, and is the only mine of its kind in the State, is