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This photograph shows the level of the slate vien with just a few inches of top soil as seen in the photo where the trees have been cleared.

By drilling and blasting workers were able to uncover and extract pieces from the ledges of slate that continue deep into the earth. In the lower right of the photograph a pneumatic drill sitting on the ledge. Two men are working in the quarry while two others are topside working near the derrick.

The following was written by Phillip Knight, a Monson slate worker, on the back of the photograph, "This shows how the derricks were able to continue working, while the wall was being built up, on the north wall. All derricks were on the solid north wall, as the south side will crumble and fall in. The only exception I ever saw is the pit known as the underground, here a derrick was erected on the south side. Also in the background is Russell Mt." In this photograph large logs hold up the braced derrick.