What are the qualities that make iron the most valuable of metals?
In what ways does commerce depend on iron and steel?
What substances are used for food, clothing, or domestic purposes that are not manufactured by the aid of iron?
Ingot or billet steel is rated at about one cent per pound; the hair-springs of watches are worth several thousand dollars per pound; what makes the difference in their value?
What are the qualities that give to gold its value?
Would all the gold mined in the United States pay the national debt at the end of the Civil War?
What causes have led to the increasing price of copper during the past few years?
What is the market price each of copper, silver, steel rails, and aluminium to-day?
FOR STUDY AND REFERENCE
Obtain specimens of the following iron ores: Hematite, brown hematite, magnetite, carbonate, and pyrites. Note the color and physical appearance of each; scratch the first four with a very hard steel point and note the color of the streak.