work, which are filled with sand. Clamps made of iron bars bind the work together. The scale of French metres gives the proportions of the various parts of the furnace, a metre being 3 feet 3.37 inches. A gentleman in Boston, well acquainted with iron works, has furnished me with the following statistical observations respecting the expenditures and profits of iron furnaces. In Vermont near Troy, there has been lately established a large blast furnace, by which three tons of cast iron are obtained per diem from the granular magnetic ore of that town. The charcoal used each day amounts to 600 bushels, Cost of ore and flux for 3 tons of iron-$10 per diem, Interest on capital of $100,000, $6 per diem, Cost of three tons of cast iron Three tons of cast iron, at $45 per ton, sell for 135 00 Profit on three tons, When two tons are made, the profit is $43 33 50 00 $85.00 $24 00 10 00 10 00 6 00 $50 00 This gentleman also states that the following are the items of expenditure and profit, at the Franconia, N. H., iron works, where magnetic iron ore is also wrought, the average width of the veins being but two feet, from which one man can blast out two tons daily, at the cost of $6 per ton. Six laborers are employed at the furnace, viz: two top men, who attend to the charge; three fire men, who have the care of the blast, and of the casting; and one gutter man. Two tons of iron are made each day. flux, is carted six miles to the furnace. Limestone, used for 700 bushels of coal are used daily, costing 4 cents per bushel, $28.00 Cost of two tons of pig iron, $70 00 Two tons of pig iron sell at the foundry for 100 00 Deduct cost, 70 00 Daily profit, $30 00 But, in the form of castings, made at the works, the iron sells frequently for $75 per ton, which would give $80 daily profit. Bar Iron sells for $100 per ton. I trust that we may soon have a number of smelting furnaces in operation in Maine, and that no longer so large and valuable resources will be allowed to remain neglected, while the State is paying enormous sums of money to England, Sweden and Russia, for her supplies of this indispensable metal. There are numerous deposits of iron ore in the State, a few of which have already been examined, while I have not yet been able to explore the extent of others. In Clinton, considerable deposits of bog ore are found, specimens of which have been sent to me. The ore is of good quality, but I am not yet aware of its extent. In the town of Williamsburg, 10 miles north from Mr. Greenleaf's house, there occurs a large and valuable bed of bog iron ore. It has also been discovered in large quantities in the town of Argyle. Mr. Curtis has sent me a package of specimens, which are of excellent quality, and exactly like the Shapleigh ore. He informs me that there is an ample supply for a blast furnace, and charcoal may be had for 3 cents per bushel. This locality, being near the Penobscot, and but a few miles from the Oldtown Railroad, can doubtless be wrought to advantage. Water power is found close at hand, and the locality is said to offer every facility required for successful operations. I hope to be able to ascertain the precise extent of the ore early the ensuing spring. Good bog ores are found also at Bluehill, and will, perhaps, be wrought, should the magnetic ores on the neighboring islands be mined and smelted, for the bog ore would mix with it to advantage, and occurs close at hand. There are small deposits of bog ore, also, at Castine; also at Paris, Saco, Jewel's Island and Thomaston. But they do not appear to be of sufficient extent to justify the erection of furnaces. In Lebanon there appears to be an extensive deposit of bog iron ore, which is found in numerous places where the diluvial gravel has been gullied by brooks; there being no forest trees around, it cannot be wrought to advantage. In the town of Union, there is an enormous bed of this ore, more than thirty feet thick, which occurs near a pond on the side of a hill. It is, however, contaminated by the presence of a little pyrites, and will only answer for common castings, since the presence of sulphur renders the iron brittle, and it cannot be entirely freed from it in the furnace. In a former report I had occasion to point out many other valuable localities, where iron ores occur abundantly, and I beg leave to refer you to that document for a particular description, it being my object now to present only what we have discovered during the present year. The most valuable bed of iron ore which I have found in the State, occurs on the south side of the Aroostook River, above the house of Mr. Currier, in the township marked No. 13, 4th Range, on Coffin's map of the public lands. The bed is included in red and green argillaceous slate rocks, and runs in a N. W. and S. E. direction to an unknown extent. It is 36 feet wide, and was traced by us to the length of 1000 feet, while there is not a doubt that it runs across the country to an immense extent, and probably belonging to the same range as the great bed of Iron ore that I discovered last year in Woodstock. Its direction would cause its line to strike in the township belonging to Williams College and Groton Academy, situate near Houlton, and it will probably be found to cut through this town. It is of great extent and evidently inexhaustible. Situated upon a great and navigable river, where a large flat boat may run to the St. John, there being but one obstruction at the falls, near its mouth, where there is carrying place for half a mile, it is evident that this iron may be advantageously wrought, not only for the supply of our territory, but also for the inhabitants upon the St. John, for at Woodstock no less than $120 is paid for a ton of bar iron, and we can afford to supply them for a less price, with better iron than England can produce. This ore yields 53 per cent. of pure metal, and will give 60 per cent. of pig iron. It is the very best kind of ore to smelt, being easily mined, and just heavy enough to make a good charge for the blast furnace. Wrought by means of charcoal, it will yield iron equal in qual |