The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-01-31
goeal ano Qersonal.
. Shows States Wealth.

Shows States wealth..
The sixth complete volume of the re-
ports Of the Maryland Geological Sur
yey, whish has just been issued, is
scholarly work Of its kind. By going
deeper into lines of research and inves-
tieaticn that the commission has pur-
sued since its organization, in 1896, it
adds much to the store Of knowledge OF
the physical features of the State.
The leading article by DR.. William
Bullock Clark, State Geologist and sup
erintendent Of the survey, who has been
engaged in studies of physical cendi-
lions in the State since 1887, when he
became instructor Of geology and pal
eontology at the Johns Hopkins Uni
versity. embodies the results of his
wears of investigation and research.
Chiefly it gives an account of the latest
and most important discoveries along
those lines.
While the results Of the investigation
are particularly important and valuable
the history Of the Investigations is also
interesting. The first geological survey
was made in 1888 to 1e42. The lmpor-
lance of the publication of maps and
other information attracted the atten-
ton of other States, and Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Delaware began sim
liar work. The Maryland Academy OF
Scie noes, established in 1868. and the
Maryland Agricultural College kept up
the study of,the State until the burden
was o ficially shifted to the present sur
yey, which followed the organization
of the Johns Hopkins;sUniverslty IN
1875, the Chesapeake Geological Labor
atory in 1878 and the Baltimore Natur-
alists' Field Club in 1885,
The present survey, established In
1896, and increased in scope in 1898 anc
1904. has been from time to time giving
evidence sf.its success and progress.
The investigations now under way in
cluds topography. geology, agricultural
soils, climate, photography. terrestrial
magn etism, forestry and highway engi-
neering. Reports on all these subjects
are issued in pamphlet and bound vol
ume form as desirable material is col
lected. The Typographical survey has
been completed in 16 of the % counties
Of til State, and the remaining ceun-
ties have been surveyed.
The geological work has bsen COM
pleted for more than half of the State.
The highway work, authorized in 1898
and at first limited to investigation, now
is carrying out the provisions of the
Shoemaker Road bill, providing for
State aid in roadbuilding.
An interesting article in the volume
Is that by DR.. Edward B. Matthews, as
sistant to DR.. Clark. on The Counties
of Maryland, Their Origin, Boundaries
and Election Districts" The article.
which covers $50 pages and goes into
details of the history of tho counties
that have never been before published,
embodies information secured by DR.
Mathews in the prepar alton of the
large-scale maps of the counties which
have recently been issued.
DR.. Clark and DR.. Mathews, his as
sistant, have edited the book and writ
ton the greater part of it. In the work
they have had the collaboration OF
Messrs. George B. Shattuck, Charles K
Swartz and others of the survey.
chapter on agricultural soils was pre-
pared by DR.. J. A. Bonsteel, of the
United States Bureau Of Soils; one Oh
climate by DR.. Oliver L. Fassig, Of the
United States Weather Bureau; one on
photography, by Mr.. F. 81. Newell, OF
the United States Geological Survey;
one on terrestrial magnetism, by L. A
Bauer, of the United States Coast am
Geodetio Survey, and one on forestry.
by Mr.. W. D. Sterrett, Of the Federal
forest service.