The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1875-10-21
SELECTION on srEclMENs.

The.aboye enumeration. of the prln-
.cipal useful products give agene-
raj idea6f the nature of the specl.
mems desired fortbe collection. The
principal objects of the collection
should also be considered. The emu
Grafton is not presented as complete
but as suggestive. Any mineral pro
duct of utility, whether the deposits
have been worked or not, are import
ant, and should be represented by
specimens, accompanied by the prin:
cipal facts of general interest, stated
in writing as fully as possible.
In selecting the specimens, atten-
ton should always be given to their
representative characters. They
should as nearly as possible, truth,
fully show the nature Of the deposit
or vein from which they are taken,
as respect richness, average qualities,
structure and the meteorological and
geological association. If the aver,
age characters or peculiarities Of min
cral deposit or vein cannot be shown
by one specimen of the proper size,
several specimens should be taken,
which shall, unitedly, represent all
the important varieties and degrees
of richness of the ore. The nature OF
the rock in which mineral deposits
occur may be shown by specimens OF
the walls especially in the case Of
veins or deposits in which the char
acters are more or less dependent up
on the nature of the enclosing rocks.
In all cases specimens should have
clean, freshly broken surfacesas neat
" as possible across the grainstruct-
ure of the mass, so as to show the al
formation of minerals and the struct-
ure of the vein. Specimens Of ores
which are solid enough to permit of
being trimmed into shape should be
broken to one general size and shape
but exceptions are always tobe made
Of specimens which would be injured
BY trimming. The size should be 10
inches square or over. Where it is
difficult to get pieces solarge, two or
more smaller ones, sufficient to cover
an equal space may be substituted.
When ores are friablc, and cannot
be obtained in solid masses, enough
of the broken ore should be sent to
cover a space equal to q specimen OF
the standard size. When it is not
convenient to trim massive speci-
mems into shape before packing, they
may be sent entire, and can be trim
med Just before they are arranged for
exhibition. In general, it is better
to select masses which have broad,
flat surfaces, and are not over two or
three inches thick. The edge can
then be broken off until the speci-
men has the required dimensions
Massive compact ores, like magnetic
and specular iron ores, and some cop,
per ores, can be broken into approx,
mately rectangular blocks only few
inches thick, with fiat surfaces, Civ
ing 4 form which can be convenient
" arranged in cases or drawers.
For metallurgical products no fix
ed rule can be given as to their form
or size. They should, in general be
as compact as possible without sacri-
fcing any of their value as illustra-
tive examples. In selecting such
products, as, for example, specimens
Of iron and of steel, regard should
be had not only to their inherent
qualities as dependent upon the ma
ture of the ores and materials used,
but also to the process employed, the
quantity produced from a given plant
and thee economy Of the production.
The tenacity, hardness, and other
qualities may be shown by bent,
twisted, and broken masses, and, il
possible, suites of specimens which
have been subjected to measured
strains should be contributed, togcth-
cr with copies of the records Of the
experiments.
SECOND. Wool, Cocoons and Raw
silk.
THIRD. Arboriculturc and Forest
Products, Timber and trunks Of trees,
in TRAVERSE section, with specimen
OF bark, leaves, flowers, seed vessels
and seeds, masts, spars, ship timber,
ornamental woods.
Select . fine specimen of the tree
you intend to exhibit; cut twolengths
sawed square, retaining the bark on
if possible, each piece about two feet
long, masts, sparS and ship timber,
can be prepared and held subject to
the order Of the Board, rs it may be
best to ship direct to Philadelphia,
but send TO the office here full des-
criptions.
FOURTH. Cereals, Grasses and For
age Plants, Tobacco.
Send about one gallon Of any sam
pie of wheat, oats, barley, corn, grass
seeds. or other products, with state