The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1883-03-07

earths of the Southern States hav'
been heated, aud hence their reO2iaeSS
Iron exists mostly in grains and no
dulles in the clays here, frequently il
quantity to justify the industries O
this important material.
But, Mr.. Editor, when all the
above is given, in such detail as may
afford full conception Of the mine
raj prospects Of this State in all that
concerns metallurgy, still, perhaps,
the greatest prospects of economical
values may remain untold. Florida
possesses by far the greatest sea
coast of any State in the Union, and
this is all of tertiary and later depos.
its at the coast. We know that
there are vast beds OF marls of war;
ions kinds, and some composed large
ly of remains OF fishes. This is
known by the fossils discovered at
various places. It is the remains of
fishes that constitute the phosphates
which are proved so wonderful in
their tertilizing properties. She'll
marls are indeed valuable, but they
hold no comparison to the phosphate
mails.
1T amounts to the highest proba.
bllity that Florida contains more of
phosphate deposits than are existing
In all the other States east of the
Mississippi. Why not ascertain this
fact
Furthermore, in all these other
elements of wealth that are found in
the bowels OF the earth, that are ha~
bitually overlooked BY those having
mining interests mostly ia view, there
remain yet many OF very great ms
portance. A great part Of the State
S traversed by snbterlIanean streams,
'ecelving their waters by percolatiou
through the sands Of the vast extent |
II levels, and occasionally through
ink openings penetrating the LINES |
tone table immediately underlying. !
The waters hold ia solution a variety |
# soluble materials. The many great
prings thus prodnckd are wonder
o all visitors, not XonIy for their
mazing size, bus tIs characteristic
roperties OF their sters, severally.
VOW what Is the Il babIe value OF
hese vast fountains ben considered
J a sanitary viewY kst Of INDUS
ia "a f,os.sau, ;ag,,. = j
lase deposit frons th9 IS. 10 1sssll5 81 X
Of valuable salts, Of iodS NE, bromine,
aud the various silicates 10 these wa
ters possess? they ard largely per-
colated through soils ahd sands rich
in salts; and all know t at the waters
of every one Of thosd springs, not
only the great ones, b ! smaller, are
strongly impregnated
"But in point OF political economy,
commercial value, a1d agricultural
importance, there remains still a great
deal more to be sai@ Of the avails
that a geological survey may afford.
Building materials, readily accessible,
must ever involve aIquestion OF very
great import. Timber, though more
important, is by no means alone
among the primary necessities. Stone
OF durable character, lime, sand, ce>
ment, etc, which are very common,
are certainly not always reliable for
building materials How often this
fact has been made apparent A sci~
entific inspection will be of much
benefit in all these particulars.
"The various farm Industries, in
culture OF grain, fruits, vegetables,
etc, come to the point, in claim for
a geological survey. The product>
iveness OF soils, their treatment and
improvement; the manner in which
farm industries can be made most
available in every way, are questions
that come directly into the province
of the labor of the geological survey.
Au agricultural college, even, has its
highest utility only IN what it COM
prises OF these particulars; for the
questions of breeding OF stock and
poultry, are certainly subordinate,
since they depend upon the availment
of the soil.
political economy, in Florida,
must unquestionabIy take the facts
OF the soils, mineral resources, and
commercial elements, first into view
immigration, capital, industry, all
practical business pursuits, are deter-
mined IN their tendency and devel>
opment by these facts and parHcu-
lars. Hence the foremost duty OF
those to whom are entrusted the
charge OF State affairs and welfare OF
the citizens, ls to secure the speedy
developments Of the material re-
sources that are hidden in the earth.
1t is really remarkable that any per>
son should be indifferent to the facts
that concern the treasures OF the soil