Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-01-02
Vermont's. Mineral Resources.
burlington Free Press.l


The people of Vermont unquestionably
appreciate the fact that the development
of our mineral deposits has come to be
the source of no small part of our ma
terial prosperity, and yet no one can pc
ruse the biennial report of Prof. George
II. Perkins, state geologist on the mineral
Industries and the geology of certain
areas of Vermont without feeling that
we have n vast storehouse of these riches
remaining to be developed. The state
is fortunate to secure the services of a
man who can set forth this fact in it's
true light, and when one considers the
value of publicity in connection with the
states undeveloped resources IT becomes
evident that the small sum appropriated
by the legislature for this work is a mere
pttance, as compared with the value of
the work involved for the people of the
entire state.
Professor Perkins had added mate
rally to the value of his report by stat
ing by way of Introduction some OF the
services OF previous biologists I'm Yer
mont. summarizing the work of Zadock
Thompson and Augustus Wing and Civ
ing a list of their publications on the
subjects Of the geology OF Vermont by
these and other writer's. These will he
found of great value by those who de-
sire to make a practical use of them in
connection with the development Of our
resources as well as by students
The report directs attention to the
large revenue brought into our state an
nually from the sales of stone alone and
shows that this business IS rapidly in
crcasing 1t Is estimated that not less
than S1oO0O.OOo is invested in our quar-
RTE; and mines and not less than 5000
men are employed therein, these men
with their families representing a popu-
lation of 5000 persons. The product of
these Industries during the last two
years Is valued at SO. 900 900 while our in
come quarries and mines during the de-
cade between 1850 and 1900 Is placed at
$40 100000 When It IS remembered that
This addition to our wealth comes from
the sale Of material which in its natural
condition has little value the Importance
Of the development of these industries
and the advertising to the world of re-
naming possibilities in this direction are
made evident.
The state geologist emphasizes the fact
that while many Of our Vermont rocks
contain gold, 1t is always in such small
amount that the cost of collecting II is
far greater than the value of the gold
obtained. He thinks there Is more gold
to be obtained from the crops that NAV
be raised on Vermont farms than can be
pounded out of our lodges or washed out
of the sands of our streams He does
not wish to discourage prospecting. but
these are the conditions that confront in
vestors at the present time.
The report says that the only metal
mined in the state at the present time
outside of a little gold is copper of
which there are extensive deposits in
large but the quality is not as good as
could be desired The old Elizabeth
mine at South STAFFORD and the Ely
mine are in operation, and there are
other deposits which are not being de-
veloped at the present time.
Considerable space is devoted TO ashes
tos which has attracted so much atten-
ton in Vermont during the past year or
so. The principal deposits are in Eden,
on Belvidere mountain, in Lowell, South
DuXbury, and Moretown and five COM
panies have done more or less work.
The asbestos occurs in two distinct varie-
ties In one 1t forms veins which rami-
fy in every direction. through the serpen-
tine, The asbestos fibres are perpendi-
cular or at high angles to the walls. The
other variety occurs on the slickensided
surfaces that are common to the ex-
posture of serpentine.
The state geologist quotes from the
report of Prof. j. +. Kemp, of the
geological survey, who visited the local
lty last year He says there is little
doubt that the region will become coma
/ siderable amounts of asbestos will be
contributed to the markets. 1t is pos
sible that in time larger veins will be dis
covered which will give the first grade
but at present all estimations of value
| should be based upon product of second
| ana third grade. Under present condi-
tons there seems to be excellent oppor-
tunity for these to prove remunerative.
Numerous pages OF the report are de-
voted to data in relation to our marble
ana granite and slate interests, together
with gratifying reports in relation to
their development. The geology of
Grand Isle to which Professor Perkins
has been devoting a large degree of at
tention, is treated of at length, and
many points are brought out that will
be of interest to the general public as
well as TO the student of geology. We
hope to quote at length from these pages
at later day. The volume is ilustrat-
ed with numerous views of an excellent
character that will be found helpful to
, the reader.
The report is the most complete work