In dealing with the quarries, it is necessary to mention that they make up no small part of the triumphant system of organisation which includes this branch of industry, This stone is largely used in the manufacture of fire-bricks in the Midland districts nd has been found to be for building furnaces, where it serves well when when placed in cantact with great heat. The sand and gannister is of a noted quality for cupola puddling, tube welding, and for other furnace foundry work, while the advantages of being able to procure in sufficient quantities in the neighbourhhood is plainly apparent. The fact that it can be delivered direct from the quarries naturally appeals strongly to iron-masters and others, who can thus avoid paying heavy carrying rates.
A special feature is also made by Messrs. Waterfield and Son of supplying sandstone for all kinds of building purposes. Architects particularly favour the use of of this stone, and builders and contractors in every part of the district are large patrons of the firm. All the stone used for building the new Women's Hospital at Wolverhampton was supplied by this firm. The large blocks of stone are used for furnace hearths, such as, for example, the one lately delivered to Messrs. Cochrane, which weighed fifty or sixty tons.