The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-03-13
AMsbamdrp.
= The Mineral Resources of Virginia.

Gentlemen.-Having for several months
past had my attention directed to some
of the mineral resources of Virginia, l
cheerfully comply with your request to
furnish you brief article on subject of
so much interest to the landowners Of
the State.
The general loss of property during
the war has taught our people the impor-
lance of turning to profitable account
every available resource they possess;
and in the arrangement of our labor sys-
tenn, and consequent prostration of agri-
culture, landed proprietors have looked
around anxiously for some other means
than their half cultivated farms afford for
the payment of debts and the recupera.
ton of their shattered fortunes. And in
hundreds of instances they have been
amazed to find that they have, in long
neglected and unnoticed mines, the foun-
dations of large fortunes for themselves,
and the elements of the future great
ness of the Commonwealth. And l ven
ture the prediction, that long before ag-
riculture, the great fountain of our form
err wealth and comfort, has regained its
strength sufficiently to fill once more the
dried up channels of our State commerce
and manufactures, the mines and forests
all around us will yield their annual mil
lions of profit, and infuse new life and
vigor in the Old State.
1t is especially worthy of note that
nearly all of the most valuable mineral
deposits that have attracted foreign cap
ital to Virginia within the last eighteen
months, have been brought to light by
the intelligent observation of the owners
of the land where they lie. We have no
State biologists, no mining bureau, to
prosecute such researches. But, stimu-
lated by the stern teachings of poverty,
the people have been examining closely
every curious looking stone and rocky
ledge, every vein of colored earth found
upon their premises; and substances
that, in former years scarcely attracted
attention beyond casual remark upon
their singular appearance, are now close
ly examined, discussed, and sent to the
chemist for analysis. The result has
been the discovery in every section of the
State of extremely valuable mines. In
this way, I know of the discovery of
large deposits of magnetic and hematite
iron ore, manganese, gypsum, barytes,
carbonate of magnesia, lumber, peat,
kaolin, lead, zinc, copper, &c. The diff
fusion of these minerals in Virginia is
very remarkable, being not unfrequently
found where their existence had never
been suspected.
The science of geology and mineralogy
has made vast progress in the last few
years, but those profoundly learned in
its mysteries are few; yet their skill and
knowledge are available to the extent re-
quired in the development of our buried
wealth, if proper steps are taken to en-
ploy them. / would, therefore, urge upon
every landowner in the State to be on
the lookout for minerals in his fields and
along his old roads and water courses
And when he finds earthly or strong
substances, differing from those he is ia
miliar with in texture, color, weight and
other external characteristics, send a
specimen to some honest scientific man for
examination, and if need be, analysis.
If our people will act upon this simple
suggestion, it will lead to the discovery
of more mineral deposits in a year than