The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-10-20
Geol 1gjcal Survey

ations for making a Geological Reconnois
sanee of the State this fall. from which We
make the following extract. The field woii
was commenced on the 18th OF Sept BY DR.
Richard Owen. in Vanderburgh county:
The Poard of Agriculture desiring that
il possible sli the couniies should be visited
this season. il would very much expedite and
facilitate the operations OF the Geological
Corps. if citizens owning mineral lands
would, previous 10 the arrival of the Corps,
make collections for inspections. as we'll rs
strip open their coal or ore banks.
4 The Board proposes that each member.
representing an Agricultural District. should
accoa pany the Corps through the counties
over which he presides. to poiut ont impor-
tant localities. Previous information might
therefore be furnished TO him b. parties in
terested, so that important points. such as are
not too remote from the route laid down for
the first general reconnaissance may be Wis
tied, reserving others for the progress oi the
detailed Survey.
Al one of the chief features in this eNplo-
ration is the Agricultural Department. it is
intended, during the above reconnaissance TO
collect as great variety as practicable
the soils from The different Geologica forma-
tons IN order 10 make analysis during the
next winter TOR the public Report, on plan
similar TO iha. pursued advantageously
and satisfactorily in the Kentucky Surveys.
Provisions will be made for systematic col
lection 10 carry out the above objects; also
for collecting and analysing Goals. ores, min
erals, building materials, cements. CLAWS for
pottery and frebricks. &c, &c.
The great value of soil analysis depends
upon the manner in which the soils have
been collected; since it is always desirable.
il possible. to select them with reference not
only TO the deriyative rock formation. bnt
also to ascertsinlng the ingredients lost by
Cultivation.
The following plan of collection is there
fore pursued and is recommended for adop
ton. IN all cases W hen soils are offered to the
Chemical Department of the survey, viz
fLey are colcc ID in sets of H.ree.
|. The virgin soil is TO be collected from
the original forest land nearest to the owner $
oldest cultivated field, noting the timber and
underground; the soil to be taken, after re-
moving the superficial vegetsiion, at from six
10 nine inches from the sur:ac.
Q. Soil at the same depth 90 inches
from a level tract in the above old field,
where originally the same forest growth pre-
vailed
3. Subsol from the same old field, mt
there is a distinct change Of color, and en-
ureiy beneath the depth reached in ordinary
plowing.
The above three sets OF soils are placed in
small sacks, holding. from a pint to quart,
labeled with the name of the owner OF the
land, ai,n the quarter section aud county in
which the land is located. the number Of
years which the land has been cultivated,
and the character and distance Of the nearest
rock reformation. On the same, or n separate
Label, the forest growth should be noted. av-
crage number of bushels of different grains,
or tons Of grasses raised on the land; and
mention made of the product for which the
soil seems best adapted, well AS such other
remarks as may occur to the owner re sarding
peculiarties OF his soils
The chemical analysis of soil No. will
show both the composition of the virgin soil,
and Its relation TO the underlying rock for
nation.
That of No Q, If conducted with sufficient
accuracy. will poiat out the ingredients lost
by cultivation.
That OF No. ,. will ascertain whether any
or all of the lost ingredients can be restored
by bringing the subsoil to the surface by
subsoil plowing.
Although some agricultural chemists rec
ommend mixing the soils, from different parts
OF field, prefer having sample as above
from one spot; and where there is any decided
change in the character Of the soil, to have
separate samples from the other portions;
since any decided change in the com position
OF the soil is almost always accompanied by
change in the character Of the underlyi ing
rock.
The Geological corps will be in this city
on the 10Th of Noyamher p.Yt