The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
VERMONT MINERALS AND FORESTS.
A Paper read before the Board Of Agricul-
ture at West Rutland Nov. 29th, By L. B.
Smith
VERMONT MINERALS.

The Importance of the mineral deposits
within the bounds o! the state of Vernioot,
have been hitherto, quite uDappreciated by
her citizens, and our vast resources Of;
mineral wealth, are, to this time, but par
tally developed. The rich veins of hem
attic, magnetic and spathic ores, aread,
known to exist IN the earth, or rocks of tn.
state, are yet but sparingly utilized, and
although the consumption of iron within
this state, is now very considerable, yel
most of the supply is mined and mar ufae
tured outside her limits thus depriving
our citizens of the grea. benefit always de-
rived from the development of home re-
sources, and d)mestic industry, beth OF
which might be enjoyed, to much greater
degree, did we manufacture our supplie-
within the state. at
Gold, widely diffused, and scattered
through the length of the state, has not
yet been discovered in any locality, in Yer
mont, sufli iiently abundant to warrant the
investment of the large capital necessary
TO be used in the process of coaxing that
valuable metal from the refractory rock.
There exist, however, along the sides, and
near the summit of the Green mountains,
deposits of minerals, commingled in strange
confusion, argentiferous galena, gold l.
Iraceable quantity, and spathic ore, togeth'
er in n mark of quartz rock. These min
eral veins have been lately discovered, and
but partially worked, scarcely enough hav-
ing been done upon them to test their mag
nitude or determine their value.
Copper, in rich and extensive veins, now
known to exist in Vermont, is being quite
largely produced in some localities, on the
eastern border of the state, but 10 not CEN
fined to that particular section. The bust
ness of mining copper is largely pursued in
Corinlh, Vershire and the surrounding
towns, and on the west side of the dividing
ridge some copper has been discovered
and the deposits worked TO limited ex-
tent.
The most important. as well as the most
widely ditfused mineral in the state, is car
Donate of lime, in its different forms and
combinations. In its nature and character,
a simple and well known substance of com
mon use, yet entering into the composition
Of all the more important rocks of the
Soubpys aho WIN thS eetS 80 wy
many wide localities; many rocks, OF very
wide extent and wonderful development, are
in their substance composed almost entirely
of pure carbonate of lime. Lime, when
in the soil, in any quantity, enters into the
substance, and promotes the growth OF
most plants known in the vegetable king
dom. Rocks containing any very large
proportion of lime in their composition, are
most easily decomposed by aqueous action,
and sooner become scattered through the
surrounding soil, constantly repairing the
wastage, and adding TO its fertility. The
proportion and condition of the carbonate
of lime, contained in any of the rocks,
determine to what class they may belong,
and its character. Tho very important
functions performed by lime, in stimulating
the growth of plants, and its many other
uses in the economy of nature, as well ss
in the arts, are quite obvious, and quite as
important as any other simple mineral
known to the use of man. When lime In
excess, or in whole, is the constituent OF
solid deposits, then, if granular, the rocks
become marble, and the most valuable OF
all the varied rock formations within the
state. Lime, in its character as mar BILE,
prevails in thick strata, and in enormous
masses, in many parts of the state; more
especially along its western borders, ex-
tending the entire length of the stale. tron
north to south, now being mined on diner.
ent sections OF the general deposit, e
greater or less extent; and IL of most value
where but very little but carbonate Of lime
enters into its composition The msrhl /
of Vermont, from their purity Of character
are far superior to all others founa upop
this continent, and from their magnitud,