Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-04

NO. 9.
THE pHospHATEs OF 8. CAROLINA.
The fact that since the war the vast deposits Of
phosphates Of lime with which the vicinity Of
Charleston, s. c., is underlaid, have attracted
such attention as to lead to measures to develop
their commercial value, is now toleraby well known
Baltimore capital and enterprise have, to con-
siderable extent, been enlisted in the work; the
phosphates have been brought to this market and
are entering into the manufacture Of fertilizers, and
laborers are at work there upon the deposits.
Shortly after the discovery of the phosphates
company of capitalists in Philadelphia conceived
the idea of having the monopoly Of them, and at
ter securing by purchase and lease some twenty
thousand acres, found to their grief and as.onish-
ment that they had scarcely made an impression
on the enormous deposit. Three large manufac-
turing establishments are now in successful opera
ton in Charleston, finding an ample market in the
cotton States, and several thousand freedmen
find labor adapted to them in the trenches-paid
by the ton for excavating working generally, it is
stated, FOUR days in the week, making from $l.SO
to So per week-feedipg themselves Among 9TH
CTS, the Ashley Mining and Phosphate Company,
having Baltimore connection, are engaged in
mining and selling the phosphate in crude state.
Not only does the article now come North, but
large quantities are being shipped to Europe. A
good deal of that sent to England goes as ballast
in cotton ships, and scarcely vessel now leaves
Charleston for Europe without this as part OF its
cargo. The New York Eueaing Post declares
that it is hardly too much to say that the effect OF
these deposits on the commercial prosperity OF
Charleston, and on the wealth Of the State will far
exceed all that Sea Island cotton accomplished in
its palmiest days." This is perhaps, rather ex-
trayagant.
An interesting history, in pamphlet form, Of the
discovery and development of these phosphates has
been published by DR.. N. A Pratt, late Professor
Of Chemistry and Geology in Oglethorpe Univer-
ity, Georgia, who is now Chemist Of a phosphate
company IN Charleston, Of which G. G.. Memmin-
GER Secretary Of the Treasury Of the late Confede-
racy, is President It is to the credit Of South
Carolina that, years ago, and before any other
State of tho Union had attempted anything Of the
kind, she attempted, by geological and agricultu-
raj survey, to render available the abors of oompe
tent scientific men, and to utilize the facts of sci
ence by putting them in tangible form, 50 far as
they related to the native resources Of the State.
As early as the year 1924 or 1925, Mr. Lardner
Vanu1em was commissioned for this purpose, and
in his report predicted the discovery of mari Halu-
able for agricultural purposes. In 1s42, the late
venerable Edmund Rufin, of Virginia, was ap-
pointed to make an agricultural survey of the State,
and Professor Pratt comedies that to the labors Of
Mr. Rufin is due the interest since evinced in the
subject of marling' lands, and also the discovery
of the calcareous mars of that section Other sur
veys followed, by Tuomey, and by Lieber, and e1-
plorations by Professor Agassiz, and Sir Charles
Lyen. In 1855, Professor Tuomey and Professor
Holmes commenced, and in 1860 concluded the
publication of their great work on the fossils Of
South Carolina.
Though the theories as to the origin of the phos-
phate deposits are not entirely satisfactory, it is
looked upon as plain that many species fanimal,
land and marine, have been attracted-perhaps as
to a salt lick, or to fresh water spring-to this
region, and they must have remained here sufh-
element of the accumulation which their remains
have helped to make Since the character of the
material referred to has been discovered, it has
been traced from its outcrop on the Ashley river
across the Cooper river on the North, and beyond
the Ashepoo on the South, while the physical in
dcations are that it is not limited even to this wide
field. The region is said to be entirely free from
stones, and everything harder than the soil itself
part of the valuable deposit, so that simple
washing suf6ces for the rejection Of all worthless
material. 1t is estimated that making due allow
ance for the earth that fills the interstices between
the nodules and their imperforations, there are
probably more than 1000 tons Of the phosphateto
each acre that it underlies.
Whatever the origin, there is no doubt of the
enormous value of these fossil remains. The larg-
er part Of the material which is now excavated is
said to contain from ty-6ve to sixtyfve per cent.
of true phosphate of lime and it is doubtful
whether any of it falls below fifty per cent The
reported richness in ''phosphates' is much larger
than this-sometimes nearly seventy per cent;
but this includes phosphate Of iron and phosphate
of alumina, both of which are probably without,
value as manure, and are not separated in the Or
dinary process of anayzing fertilizers It is thought
safe to estimate that such of these phosphates as
will be sent to market contain fully one thous-
and pounds Of pure phosphate Of lime to the ton,
or one million pounds to the acre, the deposits av
eraging thousands of acres. This is that element
of the soil whose removal has been the chief cause
of the destruction of its fertility since the founda
ton of the world.
Prof Pratt expresses the opinion that the calca-
reous beds of South Carolina contain an element
of fertility which is destined to remodel our system
of agriculture, and it is thought not unreasonable
to expect that just as ships from every part of the
civilized world have focked to the Chincha Islands
in search of Peruvian guano, so will they before
long crowd the wharves of Charleston in quest of
that element of guano found there which has the
most lasting value.
These deposits are the raw material, and before
being used, the phosphate must be rendered solu-
BE by the action Of sulphuric acid, which converts
it into the superphosphate of commerce.
Thus it is that new elements of wealth are being
constantly developed in the South. Hits political
prospects were only as bright as those ofa material
character, how hopeful would be its future
To YOUNG HoUsEKEEPERs-Be satisfied to
commence on small scale. 1t is too common for
young housekeepers to begin where their mothers
ended. Buy all that is necessary to work sklfully
with adorn your house with ali that will render it
comfortable Do not look at richer homes, and
rovet their costlv frnitnre IF secret dissatsfac-