and room system. The mine is in a safe condition. The ventilation in this mine was bad, but the company sunk an air-shaft, giving much needed and good ventilation, and the mine is now in good condition. SLATE DESCRIPTIVE. The slate mines are all in Washington county, and are all open pits, from 40 to 100 feet in depth. A number of them were in dangerous condition on account of loose rock on walls. One mine was condemned on that account, but orders issued by the Department have placed the mines in a safe condition. The main cause of danger would come from the improper use of explosives. GYPSUM DESCRIPTIVE. Wheatland Land Plaster Company, Wheatland, Monroe county, N. Y., employs 20 men; is a tunnel above drainage; is worked on the pillar and room system. This mine was in a dangerous condition owing to its being operated by contract but, under careful supervision and compliance with orders issued by the department, the mine is now in good condition. Garbutt, Monroe county, N. Y.-J. W. Garbutt employs 5 men, works one shaft intermittingly, sinks a shaft about 45 feet to the vein matter and drifts a short distance and sinks another shaft; operations conducted in a satisfactory manner. Oakfield Plaster Manufacturing Company, Oakfield, N. Y., employs 25 men, works three shafts on the pillar and room plan. These mines were in a very bad condition when first visited, owing to being worked by contract. The mines are now worked on specified plans under orders issued by the department which will put them in a safe condition in the future. English Plaster Works, Oakfield, N. Y., employs 50 men, works four shafts on the pillar and room system. These mines were in a bad condition when first inspected, owing to contract work, but the company engaged the services of a practical miner as superintendent, under whose management and the orders from the Department, the mines are being put in safe condition as fast as |