STATISTICS ON MINERAL PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA DURING 1918.*

 HERMAN GUNTER

COLLECTED IN CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL
 SURVEY AND THE U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

 The total value of the mineral production in Florida during 191.8, as shown by statistics recently compiled, is $8,009,646, an increase over that for 1917, amounting to almost one-half million dollars, the total for this latter year being $7,534,834.
 The total mineral production in 1918 shows a decrease when compared -with the output for 1917. This decrease in quantity is attributable to general labor conditions, transportation facilities and to governmental restrictions in force during the war period. Increased production costs were attended with an increase in price of the commodities marketed which is shown by the increase in the total valuation stated above.

 BALL CLAY OR PLASTIC KAOLIN

 The ball clays of Florida are white burning, refractory clays of high plasticity. The clay is quite widely distributed in central peninsular Florida being commercially produced in Putnam and Lake counties. The manner of occurrence is in association with a rather coarse sand and quartz pebbles, from which it is separated by washing. During 1918 three plants were engaged in mining ball clay in Florida. These were the Edgar Plastic Kaolin Company, Edgar; the China Clay Corporation, Okahurnpka; and the Lake County Clay Company, Okahumpka. The value of the clay produced is not separately given, but is included in the total mineral production of the State.

 *First published as Press Bulletin No. ii, October 6, 1919. Reprinted here with a few additions.
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