New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-03-17
sH,ATIE SUR VEN.


sTATE SURVEY.
.ssg17s Il
VA hsve received 4 copy of the report Of the spe-
cal Committee of the New Orleans Academy Of Sci
ences On the importance of a geological and scien.
tifc survey Of stateof Louisiana. TheCon1mittee
| embraces number Of gentlemen whose MINES are
the only needed for the correctness Of their
and the jadeiousness of their opinions:
iessrs Riddell, Benedict Copes, Blanchard, Barton,
Chiffon and Gordon From their report we take a
few facts of direct bearing upon tile subject and in
tended to support the object which they have in some
degree \ tatized.zss wye s
The report commence by stating that AT is emf
nently desirable there should be systematic and
thorough survey Of the State territory in reference to
its mineral and agricultural resources its botanical
sand zoologi and its sanitary odndos
and capabilities Almost all the other States ola anu
new, have already done this and are prohng llo =,
knowedgexof local resources thus ohtail OBTAIN ~
Legislature ofstfis State in 1s41, appointed y con
ittee to look into the feasibility OF stcn
ing and there the whole matter ended, eAespelns
some scursory investigations when haVe siee peeh
1ost is Inferred that this State offers no great oil
yersitv Of Geological formations, being tor the most
sa, racent aluyion tile North and North-westpor-
son exbbits tertiary and perhaps secondary forma
lions. but the greater part is alluyial washed down
/ IL ffesLets ii the great river that centelsit.
There is reason to suppose that many useful metals
and minerals abound in different parts Of the State,
although not yet discovered in any quantity. Gyp-
sum- valuable in the arts, in building as cement,
and as a manure common salt, whiehSs generally
associated with gypsum Ignite, d mineral coal-of
more recent formation than the anthracite and btu
nl1ous and stone coal, are all supposed to belong
to the State. We have numberless beds Of she'll
marl and it is supposed there are marslbeds, rich
phosphates or potassa. two very important ingre-
diens of good soil for producing cereal and fruits.
If they should be discovered, the expenses Of sur
Yey would be repaid thousand times over to the
State, and every section Of it; and, even if they
should not correct analysis Of the nature and COM
position of the various qualities Of soil, and their
different adaptabilites is veryimportant and useful
Incdentaly,a survey like the one proposed, would
bring to light much valuable information respecting
our topography and photography, thus giving &
world of valuable information as to- the bestmeans OF
preventing crevasses and if a geological and miner
illogical survey should be prosecuted, in connection
with the typographical and shydrographical one, a
great amount of practical knowledge Of the first i'm
portance would result. e
The committee suggests that an investigation into
the potable and mineral qualities of all our indigo
nous waters, should also be prosecuted including
the lakes bayous rivers, creeks, agoons wells and
springs, which, as the waters Of the State are sup
posed to be highly hygienie and curative, would am
| ply repay an analysis The plan, it is suggested
should embrace collection of complete sets of our
rocks, minerals sands cays marls variety of soil
and samplessof water, accompanied with labels, de-
falling where they found, and stating the merits
they possess. The fora and fauna Of the State--n.
GLIDING its Weeds grasses herbs, flowers, MOSES, in
sects, reptiles, fishes birds and quadrlpcds-should
E5aecompany the survey and would be very useful as
well as interesting and might lead to reduction OF
those which injurious to the crops. 1t is thought
too, that superior native grasses, for making hay
would be among the discoveries :%
In order to carry this measure forward, an annual
appropriation Of ten Or fifteen thousand dollars, it is
thought, would be sufficient; and the results would
indirectly, more than repay the cost,
The Academy suggests that the sanitary condition
of the State should be- explored at the same time
with agricultural botanical and geological charac
ter and that registration of births deaths and mar
riages, as recommended to- the Legislature in 1862
should be compelled by law. The establishment of
meteorological stations in several parts Of the State
and central bureau in this city, to regulate and cor
respond with the others, is also urged
Al With regard to a geological survey of the State,
there can be doubt that the advantages accruing
ttherefrom would more than repay the cost - An an
nual outlay Of ten or fifteen thousand dollars exclu
sive Of the cost of printing annual report of the
progress, is very liberal estimate of the expense
| However. The State Of New Hampshire was yer,
carefully examined, geographically, geoogcaly, min
erologically and otherwise, and volume Of report
printed at cost including the whole of less than SIX
thousand dollars, by DR.. Jackson. The State of New
York also published four six Volumes as large an6
almost as minute as those of England for less thar
sixteen thousand dollars, and Massachusetts, did the
same for twelve Thousand dollars. We are heartily in
favor ofthe plan. 1t would do for us that which can
be done by no other means. Itwould write down the
history and give the character Of every parish wou(
tell planters to what their attention should be turned
and how; would explain the best methods of ncreas
ing present crops and point out others Of equal value
/ would show great many improvements and be vall
able to almost every individual. If the State will
secure the services of competent geologst it may
at salary Of four thousand dollars per ann,nl, Will
such assistance as he deems requisite, a geological
survey would be one of the best things that egisl
| ton could insure.
JEwELnY AND FANCY ART1cLEs.-The entire stocl
OF jewery gold and silver Watches brushes ari
ces, belonging to the stock of Joseph HuFty No. 20 CAM
street, under the City Hotel, being disposed ofby til
agent, Mr.. F. Roberts, at the prime importation A YER
fine opportunity is afforded those wish to purch0s