MINERALOGY AND MINING. The province is favored with large mineral resources. but has not yet reaped any great benefit therefrom. Like Ontario, Quebec is unfortunate in not posse-,ing coal. The tariff levied by the United States practically prohibits the exportation of ore into that country. The southeast portion of the prov ince is most productive of mineral wealth, and has recently become noted for its asbestos mines, which yield practically all the asbestos marketed in the world. In 1900 the product exceeded 700,000 in value, and averaged annually more than S400.000 between 1590 and 1900. Iron is mined in the region east of the Richelieu River, and is found at various points along the north bank of the Saint Lawrence and farther west in the region of Ottawa. During recent years the annual output of iron ore has averaged about 20,000 tons. For a long 'time small quantities of gold have been taken from the gravel of the Chaudiere River. Platinum also exists in these gold placers. The southeast townships abound in cupriferous pyrites, and considerable copper is mined, the product being used for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Plumbago found near Ottawa, and phosphate and mica exist to the northward. Lead is found farther west and north along the course of the Ottawa River. Some graphite and small quantities of gems of inferior quality have been placed upon the market. The limestone of the eastern coun
ties has been liberally drawn upon for building purposes, hut its greatest use and service have been in the production of lime, the output of which has reached $400.000 for a single year. Granite is quarried in the counties adjacent to Vermont and New Hampshire, while just to the north of this section slate is quarried in con siderable quantities. Peat is found in inex haustible quantities, but has not yet come into use.
_Visit AND FURS. Fishing is an important occupation. In common with the other provinces Quebec enjoys the benefits of the bounty given by the Dominion Government for engaging in sea fishing. Latterly the returns show that the number of men engaged in boat fishing has annually exceeded 7000. The vessel fishing is of small and decreasing importance. The annual catch approximates $2.000.000 in value, the in come from the cod fisheries constituting more than one-third of this amount. Herring. lobster, and salmon are next in importance. Quebec still furnishes the world's market with a valuable quota of furs. but in certain regions the fur producing animals have become almost r extinct. Moose and deer in the south. and can boo in the north, not to mention smaller varieties of ?raine animals, are still abundant, but these, too, are rapidly being killed.