The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-04-15

state, their extent and their localities.
In regard 10 valuable minerals, we
want TO know where they may he
found and where we may not expect "a
find them. This last item IL by no
means the least useful part Of the
knowledge impaired by geological
survey, for II will often save useless
expenditure of time and money. In
dividual expenditures in the vain
search after gold, silver, copper, lead
and other useful minerals-to which
may be added coal--are public rs well
MS private losses, because the entire
wealth of the state chiefly consists in
the sum total of its individual wealth
hence. what individuals lose Is so
much subtracted from the whole tax
able property, which adds TO the taxes
Of the remainder. On the other hand,
the discovery Of gold and silver and
other useful minerals increases the
wealth Of the state, and also adds to
its sum total of individual wealth;
hence, all are Interested In ageological
survey as II matter of economy.
In 1867, during Governor Throck-
morton's admi lstratlon, gentleman
from northern Texas came TO the
geographical Office, saying that he
belonged to company who were In
search of copper in the region north of
fort Belknap, and he wanted to know
whether copper in paying quantities
might be found in that country. |
told him that 1t might occurthere; that
large quantities of copper We're found
in Russia and Germany In similar
geological formation the, perlnlan),
and / gave him written statement to
that effect. This he showed to Gov
ernor Throckmorton, and left TO join
his company. The search was screwed
and large deposits of copper found in
Archer county. The copper of north
ern Texas is proved to be worth mil
lions Of dollars, compared to which
the cost Of a geological survey is n
trifle. But this is only one item of the
much good which has already been
done by the geological survey of Texas.
1t has made known aportion of her
vast resources in iron; the iron ores
Of Llano and Burnet counties, and
those of eastern Texas; the Goals Of
fort Belknap, of Bastrop, of Milan
and Robertson counties, have first been
brought to notice by the geological
survey. Not only have we done this,
but we have saved much by testing
minerals for individuals.
Every state in the north has had a
geological survey or has one now in
progress, and also every one at the
south excepting Florida. Yet there is
not one state east Of the Mississippi
which gives promise of such vast min
eral and agricultural resources as
Texas; nor is there one which has
derived or can derive so much benefit
from geological and agricultural
survey, properly made, as this state.
If we turn to Europe we find that
geological surveys have been made or
are in progress in all its countries.
England has had one in operation
during the last thirty years; and under
her direction a geological survey OF
Canada began many years ago, and Is
still in progress. The miner must have
the assistance of the geologist and
chemist to determine the value Of his
ores. None of the mining companies
in the rich mining states among the
Rocky mountains venture to begin work
before careful geological examinations
are made.
The survey will make known the ag-
ricultural capacity and adaptation of
the soil for particular crops, and dis
seminate information with regard to
the best modes ofcultivating the differ
ent grains, grasses, cotton, sugar, to-
bacco, fruits, etc, for Texas is so large
that she has climate and soil suited
to more varied agriculture than any
other state east of the Rocky noun
tains. Within the last thirty years
the great progress and general diffusion
of agricultural chemistry in Great
Britain and also in New York
and other northern states has more
than doubled the amount per
acre of their agricultural pro-
auctions, and more than tripled the
value of their lands. Nothing will
contribute more to draw capital and
emigration to Texas than the geologi-
cal survey. Only let Texas be known
as she really is, and capital will come,
and people will come to the state.
Texas is not poor. She is rich, vastly
rich. Let us exhibit this vast wealth,
large portion of which is now dor.
mant, and people of other lands will
hasten here and bring their families
and money and assist us i'll managing
and improving our immense estate.
s. b. BUCKLEY,
State Geologist.