The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1909-04-09
Value Of Florida
Geological Survey.
Adjoining States Find Much Value h
Them And Florida Is Also Be-
ginning % Do 50.

tmMnAb W Nv See
In establishing the State Geological
Survey Of Florida, the legislature Of
1907 provided for q branch Of investiga-
ton which Is proving to be Of much
value in the development Of the State.
In this line Florida has not heretofore
kept pace with other States. With the
exception Of the temporary services Of
Dr. John KOst during 1886 no strictly
geological work had previously been
carried on In Florida under the authori.
/ 81 Of the State. Alabama, our neigh.
Dor on the northwest, has maintained
since 1873, survey actively engaged
In investigating and making known the
resources Of that State. Georgia, our
neighbor on the north, inaugurated
geological survey as early as 1884.
which although interrupted for q time,
was re. established and has proved an
efficient department. Il thus happens
that In geological work Florida in 1907
began where these neighboring States
were approximately quarter OF a cen
fury earlier.
The act providing for the survey was
introduced by DR.. E. S. Grill, senator
from the 18th district. and II was due
largely TO DR.. Crill's efforts that the
bill became a law. The survey law as
drawn 10 broad in its provisions. Eco
nomic results are sought primarily; the
educational bearings Of the survey,
however, 10 the people IN general are
not overlooked, and IL is provided that
Of the specimens collected in the pro-
gress Of the survey, duplicate sets shall
be deposited in the State Colleges. The
rights Of land owners are fully protect
ed by the provisions that when mate
rails Of value are discovered the Owneis
Of the land shall first be notified before
the information is given out to any
other party.
The State Survey IL now approaching
the close Of the first biennial period OF
It's work The results obtained sre Of
both immediate and permanent value 20
the State Two reports have been Is
sued. One Of these, the first annual
report, contains an account OF the min
eral industries Of the State. The phOs-
pilates, clays and rOad-making materi-
ais receive in this report special treat
ment. Ia addition as a matter OF ref
erence, all publications, from all
sources which relate 70 or bear upon
Florida geology are listed the more Inn
pOrtant ones reviewed. The second re-
port Is on the underground water SUP
ply, Gnd contains q map showing the
areas Of artesian flow in Florida. The
principles which permit Of 4he drainage
Of lands by means Of bored wells are
explained in this bulletin az we'll as the
manner Of construction Of these wells
In order 10 obtain the greatest efficiency.
Among Investigations IN progress
that Of fullers earth deposits has given
results Of especial value. These depos-
its are being traced out and mapped IN
detail, and from this report, when is
sued, land owners in that part OF the
State covered by the report, will be able
10 determine whether or not fullers
earth occurs on their property. A sim
liar report on phosphate deposits 10 also
In progress.
The results Of q geological survey are
OF permanent value 10 the State The |
survey reports are distributed not only |
20 individuals but are on Gle in the pub |
lie and school libraries Of the State, and |
in the larger libraries Of the United |
States. and also In the Libraries Of the |
Geological Surveys OF every State In |
the Union. They are, therefore. per-
manently accessible 10 those who may |
&C any time desire information In re- |
gard 10 the natural resources Of Flori- !
da, and are In fact an important factor
N advertising such resources. Those |
who wish 10 invest or 20 develop min |
|eral lands look 10 the State survey as q
reliable source Of information, and lta |
Fep0rta are accepted as authoritative.
Those who are engaged In theSe In
yegtiGatlone are, without exception,
men trained for the position which they /
hold. Dr. y. II. Sellards, State GeOlO-
GI8t. was. for several gears preViouS 10
the organisation Of the survey, profess
~ % geology In the Florida State /
University, and has received the beat /
training afforded By American colleges
foF the work which he b now doing.
Dr. RH HarDer assiStant
graduate 81 the University Of Georgia
eni of Q. Imbia University, New York
City. and has worked with both the
Georgia and Alabama geological sur
veys
~. Herman Gunter. assistant, Is al
graduate IN geology Of the Florida
State University.
N q. Cox, professor Of civil engi-
neeging 90 ths State University, haa
given assistance with but little cast 20
the survey m the Investigation Of road.
Masking materials.
Tha Btnte Survey eo-opoFatos with
ether oTEani1atieng carrying on similar
or relates work The ro-ODaFeiian a.
tie MnlInnnI Choirriaal Rnrwog 49,