The Portland daily press., 1878-07-22
AGRICULTURAL.


The time seems to have come when the
public mind is gradually turning to the i'm
portance OF careful geological survey of the
state OF Maine. We have had two surveys,
both preliminary and both interrupted in the
midst OF the work. That of DR.. Jackson,
IN 1859, was when geology was in its
INFANCY as science, yet the influence
OF that survey was worth millions to the
State. 1t unfoded its agricultural resources
to all extent never dreamed of before, while
it directed the energies of the citizens in pro-
per channels for unfolding its mineral re-
sources. Mr.. Hitchcock and DR.. Holmes
added much to our knowledge, and intro
duced the newer classification of our rocks.
The reports of these two surveys formed ex-
cellent reading matter to not few of our
citizens, on the subject of geology.
Unless we except New Hampshire, the ge-
ology of Maine is more difficult to unravel
than that of any state in the Union. The
absence of fossils over all of western Maine
and eastern and southern New Hampshire
renders it exceedingly difficult to ascertain
the relative ages of the rocks in both States,
while all the rest of the Union has its geo.
logical map distinctly marked out. Prof.
Dana was compelled in the last edition of his
Geology, to leave Maine blank in his geo.
logical map of the United States.
Fortunately very much has been done by
surrounding states to settle many vexed
questions. Canada has been engaged in her
geological survey for more than quarter of
century. and has traced out the formation
to our very northern boundary. New Hamp-
shire has vigorously pursued the same course
1or several years, and her complicated struc-
lures has yielded most important results.
New Brunswick has been at work MANY
years, and has shown us on our eastern Dor
der what are our Oldest and what are our
most recent formations. Thus we have been
encircled by some of the best geological talent
in the country, and the work of our survey
will largely be that of comparisons with the
Z work of these States and provinces. Hither-
20 our State biologists have begun their work
on the extreme Eastern portion of the State.
This was well, perhaps necessary, but the
next effort should be to commence on the
Atlantic and Western borders of the State,
and ascertain, as far as possible the Oldest
rocks, and build up our geological system
from these.
The pecuniary considerations of such sur
vey, are not, as it is usually regarded, what
may be discovered in mines of the precious
metals. This is of very small account, though
it Is to be hoped the citizens of the State will
not be dipped to spend their money in the
fruitless search for the precious metals.
Within the last fifteen years, chemical geol-
ogy has unfolded a most valuable science,
which should demand the services of man
competent to conduct this special department.
Agriculture will be the great gamer by such a
survey. A few thousand dollars expended
on such survey, not to be overthrown by
the very next legislature, will make known
to US our various resources, and make us
State rich in its natural wealth.
1t is believed that the time has come when
the legislature should give this subject its
most serious attention. Every thing posi-
bic should be done to unfold our resources of
every kind. and prevent men from leaving
the State, but rather to present inducements
to men OF energy and money to come into
the State and add to its wealth and its popu-
lation.
Few persons are aware of the available
extent of our hidden resources, and of their
present value. Our exports of granite
amount to millions of dollars, and are an.
nually increasing. Maine commands the
trade in lime on the Atlantic coast, while her
immense quarries of slate will yield sufficient
to supply the wants of the whole nation,
These are not transient productions, but such
as will give stability to the laboring interests
of the State. Anything that will stimulate
to industry, or advertise our resources, should
be cherished by our legislature. Gradually
the discovery and working of the precious
metals will follow, and we, like PENNSYLVANIA
may find in due time, as valuable products
beneath the surface OF the earth as above it.
IN. N. I. in Lewiston Journal.