The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-01-28

fuences, and remain in bold and large
exposures. The ore beds of the Penokie
Range, including all kinds, have thick
ness of 800 to 500 feet and an extension
along the surface of fully thirty miles,
their position being vertical. Some of
the leaner ores, consisting of alternat-
ing bands OF magnetic iron and quartz,
are susceptible of mechanical enrich
ment, producing a material sufficiently
large to be used in the blast furnace
whilst other kinds can only be enriched
by very fine pulverization, the result
ing material being inappicable to blast
furnace use. Such q material is how
ever of use as the fettling Of pudding
furnaces, and if the new processes for
the direct extraction of wrought iron
from the ore should prove as successful
as they promise to do, is just the ma
teria1 needed in those processes. The
great use of these ores, especially the
richer ones, will be for the manufacture
of Bessemer pig metal, now SO largely
used for conversion into steel by the
Bessemer process. This process de-
mands a pig iron with less than 1-1O Of
l per cent. of phosphorus in it, and if
manganese is present in the pig all the
better. Now the Penokie ores are both
free from PHOSPHORUS and highly man
ganiferous. For admixture with cal
careous ores like those # Iron Ridge,
in Dodge County, the F lokie ores are
also applicable.
3. The examination of the Oconto
County Iron Region was by Major T.
b. Brooks. This gentleman, long con-
nected with the Michigan Geological
Survey, and of wide reputation, as an
expert in explorations for iron, was en-
gagged by the chief geologist, DR.. I. A.
Lapham, to extend his explorations
across the Menomonee River into Wis
consin. He has been able to demon
strate what was heretofore only surlnis-
ed. the existence of beds of iron ore of
richness and value. The result was
hardly expected by the officers of the
survey.
4. The examination of the kaolin or
decomposed rock, of Wood and Jackson
Counties. This clay is destined to be-
come of considerable Importance AL
ready it is being used on a large scale in
the manufacture of friedrich, and will
doubtless be available as a porcelain
clay. Each locality has been carefully
examined, and samples selected of
made.
5. In the eastern portion of the state,
which have been examined by Professor
Chamberlain, the most important points
of economic interest have been those re-
lating to agriculture. Eight classes of
soils and fifteen groups of native vegeta-
tion have been recognized and their re-
lations to each other and to the climatic
1pfi77ppoac 11n1o,-IS7inrr uap form,
ton, topography and distribution of
DOulders have been studied with inter
esting results. A considerable portion
Ozaukee Counties have been ascertain
ed to be calcareous, point of no little
importance. Numerous observations
upon the habits and food of insects and
birds have been made, large report on
this subject alone having been prepared
relating to some 60 species of lepidopt-
era, and 100 of birds. During the past
summer the digestive organs of about
800 birds have been examined to ascer-
tain their food. Magnetic iron sand
has been found to be distributed ex-
tensively along the shore of Lake
Michigan In very accessible situations,
and in the aggregate in large quantities.
Some interesting facts relating to lime
and Gmestones have been added to those
previously developed, especially the re-
lation Of the physical state Of the rock
to facility in burning and ease of slack
ing. Avery fine deposit of shell mari
has been found in Kewaunee County,
and smaller ones elsewhere.
Besides these points of practical value,
many very interesting facts of a scientific
bearing have been brought to light.
These are too numerous even to be en-
umerated within the limits of this letter.
Some of them are of first Importance.
Suffice it to say that the structure of our
state is known as it was never known be-
fore.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SURVEY.
The geological corps is composed as
follows: Chief Geologist-l. A. Lap
ham, Milwaukee.
Assistant Geologists-R. D. Irving,
Madison; T. G. Chamberlin, Beloit;
Moses Strong, Mineral Point.