Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-08-16
All Around the State.
GEOLOGICAL REPORT.
The Output of Mines and auarries In
Iowa During the Pnst Year
Amounts to S7,5OO,OOO.

From the Forthcoming annual re-
port on geological products in Iowa
the following facts and figures are OBJ
tained:
The output of mines and quarries during
the last year amounted to $3.50, 000 Far
the largest part of this was realized from
the coal fields, which produced little over
100000.
The second most important output was
that Of clay, which amounted to something
over 81 500, 900. representative largely Of the
manufacture of paving brick and its mar
Velous growth In the state. Figures also.
show an important increase in the output
OF the Fort Dodge gypsum field
me work of the Iowa survey, which has
been in operation since 1899 under the d.
rectorship of Prof. Samuel Calvin, state
geolosist, brings out many important scien-
tiffc facts not heretofore known besides a n
nouncing the discovery Of new materials
in the rock beds of the state.
The tonnage of coal put out of Iowa
mines last year amounted TO 4500,0 900, at
$ll25 per ton from the mine. Coal IS mined
IN 70 counties in the state, and the total
coal area includes 10000 square miles, The
mines are not deep and the expenses Of
mining are rather light.
The output from Iowa mines Increased
within the last 10 months about 1 900 900
tons. Within the last year the average
number of days work was 100, varying by
counties from SIS to 254. Only the large mines
closely connected with the railroad COM
panies worked full time. OF the coal sold
~ per cent. went directly to the railways
and eight per cent. was sold to local dealers.
Most remarkable of all the industries
which have grown out of Iowa soil prod
ucts in recent years is that of the paving,
brick, which is manufactured from the
clay output of the state The center of
this lldu Is aft Dee :,
are important plants In other parts of the
state Last year nearly 100000 worth of
paving brick was made. In 1896 the Des
Moines plants sold 100000 PAYERS, a large
proportion being old stock, and little man
.pfa ctnring being DONE In 1897 the same
plants sold Sc, 100000 and ra full time. This
Is fair sample of the work done by the
plants throughout the state, which are said
10 be amassing great fortunes.
In discussion of Delaware county Prof.
Calvin brings out an Interesting scientific
fact regarding the history of the rivers
The North Maquoketa and some other
rivers of that region have curious habit,
AFTER running some distance over low,
even plain where the river has cut only a
few feet below the general level, of turn
ing abruptly aside and cutting great chan
nels or gorges through outlying clusters
OF hills. Then, as If satisfied with the dem
onstration Of ability, they go back to the
plain again.
Prof. Magee. of Washington, who first
described this peculiar feature of the
rivers of northwest Iowa, explained 1t as
the results of former occupation of the
region by9great systems of glaciers, which
IN prehistoric times covered SO large a por-
ton of North America.
In the report on Plymouth county H. Fos-
ter Balm, assistant state geologist, an
nounces The discovery of certain beds OF
chalk suitable for manufacture into Port
land cement. Chalk for this purpose should
nave at least Il per cent. of calcium car.
donate Samples from these localities show
from S. to 81 per cent. and have very little
impurity