Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-02-05

The Columbus correspondent of the
Cincinnati Commercial writes to that
paper as follows in regard to the pro-
posed geological survey of ohio:I
Our good Governor Hayes reoommen-
ded in his annual message a geological
survey of this State, and the matter
was referred in, the House to a select
committee consisting of AGessrs. Lee,
(chairman) LeWton, Rutter, Kemp and
Callcn. The matter has been consider
ed and bill is now being prepared by
them providing for thorough geologi-
cal, agricultural and mineralogical sur
vey, together with a report on the sub
iect.
It will be remembered that a survey
of the State was commenced in 1856,
and continued for two years under the
charge of Professor w. NJ. Mather and
six assistants. This survey was discon-
ture having failed to make the necessa-
ry appropriations for carrying it on.
Only eleven counties had been survey
ed, although preliminary examinations
had been extended to fOrty-nYe others,
and it was the opinion Of the chief geo.
logist that the work could have been
completed in two more years. The sus-
pension of the work Of course left &c in
an imperfect state, and a fair trial Ofthe
survey was by no means had, yet it's re-
suits were of the most important char
aeter, and OF great value to the State.
In a single county the increased value
tiOn of the survey growing out of the
development of mineral wealth, was
estimated as high as $500, 600. There is
every reason 20 believe the completion
of the survey would have brought into
existence many millions of wealth since
lain dormant and unprOductive, and
must continue to do SO until thorough
survey is made. t..
think that the importance of a new
survey to all the interests of the State
can scarcely be oVer-estimate Agri-
culturiSts tell US that Ohio is losing
ground year amer year as an agrieult1-
| raj State, as the statistics of her crops
show, and that the trouble is a decline
in the productiveness of our soils. Now
the way to arrest this Is by a careful
scientific analysis of the different soils
showing what the trouble is and the re-
medy.r = Even Illinois, with her rich
loamy prairies, has already realized the
necessity for this, and has had the en-
terprise and foresight to provide for it
by geological and agricultural survey.
The necessity for this In Ohio is certain
ly greater because We have so much
broken and thin land, andwe certainly
might do much to increase the fertility
of our soil If we had the knowledge of
It's Ingredients, of The crops for which it
is adapted, and of the application of
mineral manures, which can only be
disclosed by such a survey.
But the surface value of the soil is by
no means its only value. We have q
vast amount of mineral wealth which
must be developed if we would attract
capital and keep pace with other States
which have been thoroughly surveyed.
The cheap and shabby volume which
com prises the whole Of the Ohio SURVEY,
imperfect and unfinished as it was, will
hardly compare with the magnificent
volumes comprising the surveys of
New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Mas
sachusetts, and other States. But it is
not the honor, but the interest of the
State, which makes the strongest ap-
peal for the survey. Much more money
has been spent in the fruitless search
for oil and mineral treasures than would
pay for the survey three times over.
The amount Of work already done, and
so ably done by Professor Mather and
his associates, will do much to lessen.
the expenses of the survey. --rt---
The committee has large number of
letters and some able papers on the sub
ject from various parts of the State,
which are earnestly in favor Of such q
survey. In providing means for this
survey, the Legislature will certainly
do really valuable thing for the State.
Having been intimately associated with
Professor Mather during the last years
of his life, I can say that time and
again he has earnestly advocated a sim.
liar measure as one calculated to be of
immense benefit to the whole people of
Ohio. s-s r- s---