The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-10-03
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8, 1897.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. The subject of a
geological survey of Worcester County has be-
fore been urged upon the attention of the COM
munity, through the medium of the papers
We hope that subject of this interesting
character, one that promises so much public
utility, viii not be suffered to rest till measures
are taken to carry it into effect There car be
but little doubt that many substances, valuable
to the agriculturalist and the mechanic, abound
within our territory, and yet are suffered to re-
main unproductive, because no scientific person
has discovered their location and revealed their
value. The lime, marie, iron, and coal of
England, are sources of wealth more substantial
and more productive to her than the gold and
silver of Peru and Mexico ever have been, or
ever will be to those countries.
In the northern part of the county materi-
al for paint has been discovered, which answers
all the purposes of, and is said even to be su-
periOr even to,the terra de sienna, paint which
costs from one to two dollars per ID. Is it I'M
reasonable to suppose that survey might re-
veal other substances, equally valuable? But
there are other objects, equally important and
more certain, to be accomplished by the pro-
posed survey such as ascertaining, scientific
cally, the nature of the soil in different sec
tons, the mode of culture to which it is pecu-
liarly adapted, and the kind of manure which
may be applied to it with most effect. Various
substances abound which are good manures for
particular soils in their natural state and others
become so by combination with other substan-
ces. These the scientific man might discover,
and point out their uses.
Every plan which leads to the development
of QUE internal resources should be looked upon
with favorable eye,and no short-sighted or sell
fish views ought to obstruct its accomplishment.
What means would afford the most reasonable
prospect of effecting the proposed survey, is
not for US to determine. But, till bettor mode
is offered, the one which has heretofore been
suggested, is worthy of attention That is. for
associations of intelligent young men to be
formed in different parts of the county, for the
purpose of acquiring the scientific knowledge
necessary for making the examination in the
section in which they reside. The study is an
interesting one, and easily acquired by the aid
of the necessary specimens and little intia-
tory instruction. DR.. Holbrook, whose exer-
tons for tho promotion and diffusion of scien-
tifc knowledge are worthy of great praise, has
offered specimens from his cabinet 10 all such |
towns in the county as are DESTROYS of availing |
themselves thereof Many advantages might
be derived from these associations. Beside
making the proposed survey, they would form
cabinets of the various mineral substances with
in their district, from which general cabinet
Of the whole might be collected, which would
show, at one view, the variety ofour minerals,
md the locality of each.
1t may not be amiss, here, to suggest whether
his Is not an object worthy the attent ron Of our