Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-01-13
8it9mol}b enquirer.
BY RITCHIE, DUNNArANT. TYLER l. WISE.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY IS. 1869
Geological Survey Of Virginia..

work if it is not connected at tho same time
! with a thorough geological survey, in order t'
develop fully our resources and to bring l'sfort
the public in its true light the immense wealll
Of raw material which may he o use for mining
manufacturing agricultural purposes. AS
many are ignorant of the benefit derived irom
such survey, it may be- the proper time tc
call public attention to this subject. Such q
survey will elucidate and devrlope the mineral
wealth OF the State and her agricultural re-
sources. BY a thorough examination and class
tication Of the soils. with reference to improve
nent and greatest production, it will guide the
agriculturist. By collecting specimens Of all
the minerals, rocks, soils, timberS, &c, it will
give TO the State aud her schools, University.
Military Institute, DC, the proper means tc
form, as far as it can be done from collections,
correct idea Of the wealth Of the State and
the materials that actually form it
II is but justice To say that good deal has
been done in former days, but unfortunately
little of it was made known TO the public. and
it is nov with difficulty that We can trace more
than the general outlines oi our geological
formations from such sources.
The aim Of the proposed geological survey
should be first to make general reconnaissance
of the State, and then to investigate tho.
roughly the geological structure Of every coun-
ty. In the general reconnaissance important
~ L, nf
former State survey, so that nearly the whole
time can be devoted to the detailed county cX-
aminations The facts deduced from series
of such careful local investigations will not
only contribute largely to the sciences of Geo
logy, Minera!ogy. Paleontology and Botany,
but they will also furnish important practical
information to the agriculturiS,, miner and
manufacturer.
In the,detailcd county examinations it should
be the constant aim Of the seolosist in charge
TO determine the succession, arrangement, rela'
tive position, dip or inclination aud compara-
tive magnitude Of the various strata or geologi'
cal formations. 1t will be his imperative duty
to discover and examine all veins, beds or de-
posits of ores Of gold, silver lead, zinc. iron,
of coal, limestones, clays, marls and all other
mineral substances that uuy be useful or valu'
able. Where valuable minerals are known at
single localities only, the explorer will carefully
trace ont their extension III length and Inagni-
tudc into adjacent lands and neighhorins coun-
ties. and will transmit reliable information IL
! the owners Of such lands, SO Ms t" enable then,
| to develop such resources at once and thereby
increase the value Of their possessions. The
proprietors of mines, stuelting and uanufactu.
ring establishments, will receive all necessary
information as u the best means of increasing
the value, yield or nett profits Of their works.
In portions OF the State where new mineral
discoveries have been made, the geologiSt will
have to point out the most suitable sites for
mines, quarries. furnaces, Eorges, Sc, making
statements as 10 the market value and the
profits that may be realized BY erecting such
establishments
All ores and valuable rucks should be care.
Stituents; the various liuiestones should be
thoroughly investigated, with special reference
to their value for hydraulic lime, &C. The
soils resulting from the decomposition OF rocks,
should be subjected to q searching analysis,
With special reference 10 the practical wants Of
the farmer, thus enabling the latter to supply
the deficiencies Of his soils by the appropriate
use of cheap fertilizers. The composition OF
the rocks, from which the soil originated, should
be made familiar TO the farmer, SO that he may
be in position to determine himself the av-
crage quality Of his soil at every point on his
farm.
Speciu,eris Of all the existing ores, minerals,
rocks, and mineral masses, should be collected,
and at least one specimen Of every variety de
posted at the Capitol Of the State, at the Uni
versity, and Military Institute; these specimens
to be properly labelled and practically arranged,
and to be open to the inspection of every one
for reference or information. A small collection
of the rocks, minerals and soils of every coun-
ty should he placed at the respective county
seats, which will furnish an nexbaustible mine
Of information to the farmer.
The various areas occupied by the different
geological formations in the State should be
represented on the Typographical map, by colors
and other appropriate means, and there should
be marked thereon ALSO the localities Of the re-
spective veins. beds or deposits Of the various
mineral substances discovered and the cfIarac-
ter Of the soil In "rder to heneft such
farmers as have not had an opportunity OF
general education, practical maps Of every
county in the State should be constructed on
which the various soils ares.rcpresented, will,
remarks as to their qualities ond properties
On such geologico Typographical nap all
those localities will be appropriately marked,
at which mining and metallurgical operations
can be safely and proiitably carried on. 1t will
also be advisable TO designate distinctly all
those regions where mining operations should
not be commenced even if Indications Tor
minerals and ores should exist there. III order
to prevent the ignorant from laying out money
uselessly, and incurring heavy losses.
1t may be well to offer here few remarks
III favor Of genuine mining operations, Is thus
Tar these undertakings have been too much
condemned by capitalists in our State aS being
unprohtahle and connected with ton much
risk.
1t is established beyond all doubt, that valn.
able deposits Of minerals and ores exist in this
country, and that ,hry are in some respects
much more lar"raby located than similar ores
in Europe, yielding richer and more abundant
materials at or near the surface, and being
partly located in sections Of country very IA
vorable for agricultural purposes. Why, then,
is it that such enterprises have often proved