Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-20

distance. A more fallacious notion does
not exist, nor one that is so self-evidently
false. The only way by which the probable
thickness of q seam of coal can be deter
mined and its relative position to other
seams in the series known is by under
standing and considering the entire forma-
ton.
Another popular notion exists that is as
equally incorrect, and that is, that by fol-
lowing seam from the outcrop under some
hill near by, the coal will become much
thicker and of better quality. 1t must be
remembered that the coal seams were made
long before the hills were formed by the
erosion OF valleys between them. and that
the seam of coal formed a single stratum
extending under considerable territory.
before the valleys were cut through il.
The coal seam had nothing to do with the
making of the hill, and the forces making
the hills did not affect the thickness of the
seam in the hill. The hills have not been
made b. upheaval in this part of the state.
50 there is no reason to suppose the seam of
coal win be thicker under the hill than at
y
lency in the thickness of coal seams that
are Is nearly horizontal as they are here
II there IS slight parting of clay or slate
in the coal seam it will generally be found
in il throughout the entire extent of the
seam. 1t is often miles from the outcrop
OF I seam before there will be any perman-
eHt change in the thickness, and then it is
-
yet thicker The coal al an outcrop. where
II has been exposed 10 atmospheric infiu-
eEces. - however. more liable 70 be i'm
ORIGINATED than where il has been protected
from such Influences.
The counties in the true coal measures Of
Texas-counties in which workable seams
OF coal are, or are apt to be found, are Mon
tague. Jack, Young, Palo Pinto, Eastland.
Stephens and Coleman, and parts OF Brown.
Runneis Callahan, Wise and Erath. In the
general strata there are nine seams of coal.
Only TWO OF these, however, are thick
enough, where observed, to have any com
mercial value. These seams range in thick
ness from two 10 thirty inches. The fact
thai some of these seams aae very thin is
no reason II conclude that al some other
locality remote from the place first observed
they may not become of sufficient thickness
10 be of commercial value. There may also
be other seams Of coal in the strata than
those indicated. that will be discovered
upon further investigation, that were so
Thin or are SO entirely covered up us TO
heretofore escape notice
There is quite variety of soils in the
rarboniferous formations, and some of them
are extremely good, especially the bottom
lands along the streams. The Bra2Os river
runs entirely through the formation, and
has III It's valley some Of the finest soils of
Texas. Generally speaking, the products
of the region are cotton and corn though
vegetables are raised TO considerable eX-
tent and also fruits. On account of the
hi!ly character of the country, it IS sup
posed to he a very fine fruit belt. Irriga-
ton has been practiced to some extent from
springs. In Palo Pinto county there is a
considerable vineyard under irrigation.
which gives magnificent results. There
are many fine native grasses in the carbon
ferrous area.