The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-15
FUr the Voice of Freedom.
Geology and Geological Surveys,

There is no science receiving greater
attention throughout the world at the pres.
ent day, than the science Of geology. Il
is but recently that the importance Of q
knowledge in this science has been prop
erly appreciated.
Geology proves that the earth had a
begining.-that it was once a tormless
chaos and, that there are successive eras
of lis formation, from a gaseous lued
slate, to a gradual hardening down to he
time when it became fitted for the exis-
tence of man.
By a strict attention 10 the laws of ge.
ology, certain rules are established by
which we are enabled to draw correct in.
ferences, and learn new truths, the value
Of which is unappreciable, parlicu larly in
the discovery Of valuable mineral depos-
lies. Gold is found only in particular
formations.
Coal and plaster never are found in
primitive rocks.
Marble and all ores are found in certain
positions only.
There is no part of the United States
which exhibits greater geological phe-
nonenon than Vermont. Lake Cham.
plain once extended as far east as the
green mountains, and south to Soulher-
lands falls in Ratland, covering all the
lands in the valley of Otter Creek 18th "a
bay of water not less than fifty feet deep.
The great depth of coarse gravel and
rolled masses Of milky quarts, extending
through a large portion of Rutland and
Addison Counties along the foot of the
green mountains, forms conlusive evidence
tina, there must have been in some former
day, an immense body Of water crowding
perpetualIy, huge pillows against the tow.
ering rocks, which crumb led and rolled
from place 10 place, until ar outlet was
made, and the waters escaped, thus leav-
ing the surface of the earth in It's present
uneven and stony state.
A knowledge of geology is of great
importance 10 the agriculturists; for
the richness of The soil, depend on the
kind Of rock that compose and underlay
it.
Through a knowledge Of geological laws,
great improvements are being made in
regard to the best substance to be used as
a manure and, according to Professor
Emmons, who. is now engaged in ma
king an agricultural survey of the Stale
of New York, 'the time may come when
the farmer may carry TO his field in his
pockets, all the manure required" Cal.
shale is supposed 10 have as good
dn effect on land as plaster, and yet not
attended with the objections commonly
raised against plpster, which is that a
long continued use Of it has a bad effect.
GEOLOGICAL have done
more toward disseminating acknowledge
in the science Of geology than all the
books ever written On the subject. 1t has
been stated by good authority, that more
money has been. expended uselessly in
searching for coal in England. previous
TO their geological surveys, than would
pay for survey of the whole world.
Recently, the most valuable coal mines
in England, have been discovered by ge-
illogical rules and differences.
The State of Vermont, is supposed by
good judges, to contain more mineral
wealth, than any ether state in the Union.
And it is strange, that the Intelligent and
e%nterprising people of this state, should
have so long neglected to authorize a &C.
illogical survey,
There are but few aoiseacres in Yer
mont who oppose a survey ard, if the
subject was properly considered by the
people, a geological survey would unques-
iionably be authorised al The next session !