The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16
VEST E3RGINIf.
BY j. r. DODGE.

Each section Of the country, in all the
States, has natural elements OF fertility
which, with skilled husbandry, in CO.
operation with the ameliorations result
ing from stock growing, are ample for
ali the demands of high culture. This
chalky deposit is only one Of many ele-
ments of fertility existing in Virginia.
LIMESTONE.
This mineral is generally diffused
throughout the State. The valley coun-
ties are largely ola limestone formation,
interspersed with layers Of slate. The
mountain pass at Greenbricr exhibits
everywhere limestone, in'erspersed with
states and shales. Throughout themoun-
tain region, and everywhere among the
iron and coal deposits, abundance of
limestone is found. In the lower Ka-
nawha, below Charleston, arenaceous
and argillaceous rocks are presented,
with thin layers of limestone of different
degrees of purity, some cases contain
ing sufficient alumina to give it a by
draulic character. Interposed between
seams of coal, thick beds of limestone oc-
cur on the Ohio river at Wheeling and
vicinity. Associated with the Goals of
the MOnongahela and Tygart's valley
and other branches are beds of limestone
and sandstone, both increasing in thick
ness as the coal diminishes. There is
little lack of this material, so valuable
to agriculture, iron-Working, and the
building arts.
Specimens from Patterson's creek, in
Hampshire, are of grayish drab color,
compact texture, moderately fine grain,
structure slaty, bearing 93 per cent. of
carbonate of lime.
From Muddy Creek mountain, near
tho h1un Snlnhur cnriOU of n lirhf trraxy
color and fine grain, containing 9S per
cent.
From east side of Laurel Hill, in Mo-
nongalia county, of a light yell1w and
gray color, partially sub-crystalline, 80
per cent.
From the Cheat river, in Preston coun-
ty, light gray, with blue stripes, 6S per
cent.
From Red Creek, in Randolph county,
Oflight gray color and compact texture,
SO per cent.
From Morgantown, in Monongalia,
dove-colored and sub-crystalline, and
very hydraulic, 81 per cent. carbonate Of
lime, 10 per cent. magnesia, and 8 per
cent. alumina.
A great variety exists in quality, color
and texture. Hydraulic limestone is
very abundant in Ohio, Harrison, Pres
ton, Monongalia, Hampshire, and other
counties, and in the Kanawha valley.
SALT.
The saline formation has been little
explored, except in Mason and Kama
wha counties. 1t is associated with the
vast strata of sandstone that underlies
the whole of this section and the south
western counties Of Virginia, in some of
which large quantities of salt have of
late been manufactured in the interest of
the rebellion. The inference has been
deemed reasonable, from the western
dip of the white sandstone from which
the Kanawha brine is obtained, that salt
might be reached in the mountains up
the river much nearer the surface; and
salt has actually been manufactured up
on New and Greenbrier rivers, but with
comparatively little success as yet.
The works on the KanaWha, u few
miles above Charleston, are extensive
and productive. The wells are several
hundred feet in depth, yielding a brine
of remarkable purity, almost absolutely
free from sulphate of lime or gypsum,
and therefore cvaporated and crystalliz-
ed with fewer difficulties than usual, and
brought to market as muriate of soda of
nearly absolute chemical purity. A
specimen received from General Lewis
Ruffner, of the Kanawha salines, may
be seen at the Department of Agricul-
ture. Experience has demonstrated the
superiority Of this salt over any other
manufactured in the county,. Meat
cured with it has kept, while that put up
with foreign and American salts, under
similar circumstances, has spoiled.
Extensive salt works exist in Mason
county, making product of excellent
quality. The total manufacture of 1868
is stated as follows: Mason County Min
ing and Manufacturing Company, $685.
300 pounds; Mason City Salt Company,
S,613,600 pounds; Union Salt Company,
4,553, $50 pounds. Total, q ,22l7 $50 lbs. ,
or nearly half million bushels.
Immense quantities Of coal are annu-
ally used in salt-boiling, and millions of
bushels of salt produced. The Kanawha
works have been much interrupted.
since 1861, by rebel incursions and dearth
of labor, but last year produceda million
of bushels.
The iron ore of West Virginia are de-
stined to prove prolific SQUIRE of wealth
when capital shall organize labor for
their reduction, and avenues of commu-
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