Mining Meerschaum.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 3, 2 January 1907, Page 105

Mining Meerschaum.

Meerschaum, although the name means " sea foam," is not a marine product, but is a soft, soaphke stone which is mined ]ust as coal is mined Asia Minor is the principal seat of the industry. In its crude state, meerschaum is yellowish-white in colour, and a red clay coat or skin envelops the blocks taken from the mine These blocks bring from £1 to a carload They are soft enough to be cut with a knife After being dried under the open sun in summer, or in a warm room in winter, the blocks are sorted into different grades They are then wrapped in cotton and packed in cases for the market The bulk of the product goes to Vienna, where the best pipe-makers are found In the estimation of the connoisseur meerschaum makes the lightest, cleanest smoking outfit