There are many valuable properties attributed to serpentine, and I am of opinion that the time is not far distant when it will be commercially considered an invaluable substance, and this on account of its refractory properties. I may also mention that it can be extensively used in the manufacture of crucibles, &c. Its soft and unctuous qualities (especially where it is found associated with "steatite," or "soapstone," which is often to be seen in large quantities) renders it easy to be worked, and, if reduced to a powder, could be moulded in bricks which the most intense heat will not affect. One of the chief properties it contains, and one which the serpentine of Lower Canada is so famous for, is the Asbestos, crysotile, or fibrous serpentine. This valuable and important mineral product is found in paying quantities only at certain points in the extensive serpentine reefs, and was first mined as an article of commerce in Canada in 1878, and has now become a regular and rapidly-developing industry.
On account of its incombustible and indestructible qualities, is extensively used in steam, hydraulic, and electrical machinery. It has been adopted by the Admiralty for engine packing, in Her Majesty's war-ships. It is spun into six-fold yarn, with a tensile strength of 40 lbs. and upwards, is manufactured into cloth, as clothing for firemen, and covering hose-pipes, in fire brigades, and also engine purposes, as well as drop-curtains, and general stage scenery, and is employed by the principal railway and steamship companies, collieries, ironworks and all classes of factories, and, in the manufacture of the new Asbestos grates and stoves, is finding for itself a large market. Messrs. Bell & Company of London, who are the largest Asbestos users in the world, have adopted it in the manufacture of over 50 special purposes in connection with steam engines and general machinery, and, as a lubricant, Asbestoline ranks in the first degree.
There have been many mines started in Canada by people of the farming class, as well as by companies, and "cotton," as Asbestos is locally termed, has been found in large quantities within a few feet from the surface, in veins from 1/4 to 6 inches and more in length of fibre. In Italy, Asbestos is found, measuring up to 6 feet, in fibre, and chemically speaking, there is no difference between it and Canadian, except that the latter, though shorter in fibre, is much more compact and crystalline, and purer in every sense of the word than can be obtained in Italy, so much so, as I understand, that users of Italian material have virtually abandoned it for Canadian. Although I have no doubt but that Italian Asbestos has its own special purposes.
The greatest depth reached in Canada is 130 feet in open workings. No timbering or extensive machinery is used in the manipulation of the mines, as the "cuts"—being usually in the mountain side—afford a natural drainage, and dumpage.
Having blasted the rock, the first process of extraction is termed "cobbing," which means breaking off the adhering serpentine from the Asbestos vein, this being manual work done by boys. The fibre is packed in sacks, each weighing 100 lbs., and in some cases 200 lbs. are shipped by the local railroad company to Montreal or New York at something about 10 cents and 20 cents per sack.
Asbestos is sorted into three qualities, and priced thus:—
| 1st | quality, | selling | at mine | $80 | to | $200, | per ton of | 2,000 | lbs. |
| 2nd | " | " | " | 60 | " | 70, | " | " | " |
| 3rd | " | " | " | 25 | " | 50, | " | " | " |
Some inferior quality, at a very low price, is used by the Asbestos Mining and Manufacturing Company of Quebec.
The workmen are principally French Canadians belonging to the neighbouring villages, and the wages paid them are—
| Miners (without board), | $0.90 | (3/9) | to | $1.25 | (5/2), | per day. |
| Pickers and cobbers, | $0.40 | (1/8) | " | $0.70 | (2/11), | " |