The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-30

| The hidden resources OF our State are oelnS
gradually brought to light and made avaliaoie
through tho researches of her scientific men,
Lands that we're heretofore considered useless
have been fond to abound in mineral productlons'
and the pick and hammer Of the geologist con-
stantly show that nature has in her hidden store
house bountiful deposits Of the various materials
that have been considered peculiar 10 olnei
clitnes. At GIanitovile large deposit Oh Duri
stone of the finest quality has been discovered.
This kind of stone was for long time lmpofteo
rom France, but the quarrios of that country are
nearly exhausted and it has been found necessary
10 clamp the smaller fragments together IN order
TO furnish stone OF large dimensions. Other as
coveries have been recently made that are OF lar
greater Importance, and bid fair to revolutlonze
some branches of trade by supplying to the worlo
superior article OF phosphated manures from an
lnexhaustible deposit almost at our own doors.
For some time the community have been startled
by rumors that large supply OF superior quail'y
OF fertilizng material had been discovered neai
the city, These rumors were not unfounded' anu
company has been organized to utilize tne ma
terial so bountfully supplied by nature. froessoi
F. s. Holmes, in connection wi h other distlngu ulsh-
cd chemists, has for some time been engaged In
ANALYTICAL experiments which have at length pro-
duced result which will give to Charleston large
exporting trade, and create business that Will
speedily restore her former prestige.
The deposits referred 10 extend along the banks
OF the Ashley river for miles, and consist OF decom
posed bones and other animal matter, solldined
until they have attained the consistency OF sou
L,,,o I,oa, for1nd IN contain
from 60 to rs per cent. Of pure phosphates, gnu
there is every indication th : the whole bed Is
formed of manure which is more valuable than
the Peruvian guano which sells at $50 per ton.
The deposits cover many square miles, and may
produce tens of millions of dollars. Charleston,
through her manure beds, may become larger ana
moro VIC ,.thy than New York or New Orleans.
Specimens Of this mari or deposit were taken to
Philadelphia and shown 10 the Presidents and ON
GERS OF the large fertilizlng works in that city.
They Immediately attracted attention, as on being
subjected to close analy sis, they showed a very
large per centage Of phosphate OF lime, and MIN
ing and manufacturing company was at once OF
ganizad, all the stock being taken and PAID in.
The deposit was found on the plantatio OF Fro
fsssor Holmes, on the Ashley river, q few miles
from the city, but the company have secured
largo tract Of land adjoining, and design COM
mencng operations at an early day. The charter
OF the company was granted by Chancellor john
son. in accordance with the provisions made by
the State Legislature, under the name OF ths
Charleston Mining and Manufacturing Company,
With a capital of 81, 600. This company will
have its principal Office in Charleston, Which at
present will be ioclted in the rear OF Professor
Holmes bookstore.
Att recent meeting Of the Board Of Directors,
held in this city, the mpany was fully organized
and our esteemed fellow-citzen, Professor F. ).
Holmes, was unanimously elected President and
Geologist; DR.. n. A. Pratt, distinguished ana
lytical chemist, was elected the Chemist and Su-
perintcndent Of the Works, and MIR. Arthur b.
Locke Secretary of the Company.
We congratulate DR.. Pratt in having secured the
means necessary to carry out the cherished scheme
that brought him to our city two years ago.
Professor Holmes and DR.. Pratt are justly entitled
to the credit Of having naugurated this enterprise;
and the uniting labors of the former gentleman
in the cause of science have at last met their re-
ward