The leader., 1901-10-02
The Geological Survey.

1t was announced some months ago,
in the Picayune, upon the auth ority of
Governor Longino, that he would
recommend an appropriation for geo
logical survey, to the special session of
the Legislature which convenes in
Jackson Tuesday, after the first Mon
day in January next. The press of the
State for the past year or SO has advo-
Gated such survey and pointed out
that splendid results might follow such
a step. 1t is curious thing that the
first geological survey, perhaps, made
in America, was made on Mississippi
SOIL This was in 1899, by LIE Sour, un-
der authorization from the French
Government. Even at that early day,
1900 pounds of ochre were shipped to
France. In 1912, as shown by Good
speeds History of Mississippi, two
ship loads of yellow ochre were taken
from the white cliffs near Natchez, for
Boston consignees. The same author
ity points out that in 1852, gold dis
coveries were reported on Black creek,
Marion county, and body of prospec-
tors carried away some metallic mug
gets for assay at New Orleans, where
the gold theory was demolished. Dur
ing the first decade of the last century,
however, bell maker used this metal
for brazing bells. 1t could be cut like
lead, but in the furnace, it was minus
the leaden fumes. Galena was found
in the diluvium sections of the North
east, as we'll as in Adams, Claiborne,
Neshoba, Lawrence and Kemper, car
ried hither from Missouri. with the
drift. This evidently has reference to
the glacial epoch. The quantity of
aluminium has not yet been deter
mined, but beyond question there is
very large per cent. in the soil.
Mississippi is rich in mineral clays.
and it may be laid down that from
Tishomingo to the southeast corner of
Wilkinson and from De Soto to the
Pascagoula, beds as extensive as they
are useful are awaiting development.
Marine mari, it is said, extends across
the State, from Vicksburg to Meridian,
and thence to Alabama. This mari is
rich in carbonate of lime, yielding 80
percentum, percentum of potash,
and from l to percentum of magne-
STA.
On Big and Little Bear creeks, out
crops of a peculiar character occur,
presenting rock capable of producing
stone and grinding stones are also
found in this section of the State.
On MacKay's creek, commercial
limestone is found, which yields from
80 to 80 per cent. of good lime. This
lime is considered good enough for all
purposes, and like redstone, is found in
many other places in the State.
Silica of whitish pulverulent
al orontar u bnnpHc aaSf IF EoStnprt
With reference to coal, Goodspeed
says: The territory referring to the
Mississippi shows heavy deposits of
semi carbonized wood coal, and col
lection of clay substances of all colors.
This Ignite is black as in Choctaw
county, or brown, as in Lafayette, and
shows its desire to become true btu
men on one side and true bog oak on
the other. 1t is au uncertain COM
modify, in every way, and so we'll is
this fact established, few persons avail
themselves of what may be useful in
it; while bituminous coal and wood is
at hand for fuel coke or charcoal. AS
fuel, the presence of iron pyrites,
destroys usefulness: for the sulphur,
Gus acid, in which it abounds, casts
out such fumes as to render it dis,
agreeable and dangerous. With all its
faults, it is always welcome in the alb
sence of other fuel; for necessity gener-
ally suggests means of using the gifts
of nature, no matter how rough their
ends may be shaped.
Gypsum, or plaster deposits, exist in
Carroll. Alfalfa, Kinds, Madison and ad
joining counties, and pure gypsum in
Rankin, as we'll as in other sections of
the State.
Extensive mineral springs, of the
finest quality, and in abundant quaint
ty, are scattered all over Mississippi.
These are only few of the hidden
treasures that the geological survey
may disclose in paying quantities. Mis-
sissippi has waited all too long in this
matter, aud it must be gratifying to
the people to know that the patriotic
and progressive Legislature, which has
given the State million dollar CAPT
toll, a textile school, an experimental
station. and provided an adequate
prison farm, will be given an opportu-
nifty by the Governor, at the special
session, to do the State lasting ser
vice.-Edgdr S. Wilson in N. O. Plea
yune.