Year: 1874

1


To many 1t may seem unnecessary to
say anything on the utility of geolog-
ical suryeys, because they have already


been tested and found to be of great
practical value by most civilized coup-
tries. Indeed 1t is impossible to de-
velop the mineral and agricultural
resources of a state In an economical
manner without such survey. Every
citize Of Texas is more orless inter-
ested In having Its mineral and agricul-
tural resources made known, in order
that q proper estimate may be made of
the materials appertaining to the
state, their extent and their localities.
In regard to valuable minerals, we
want to know where they may be
found and where we may not expect to
find them. This last item Is by no
means the least useful part Of the
knowledge impaired by q geological
survey, for 1t will often save useless
expenditure of time and money. In.
diyidual expenditures In the vain
search after gold, silver, copper, lead
and other useful minerals-tO which
may be added coal-are public as well
as private losses, because the entire
of the state chiefly consists in
the sum total of its individual wealth;
hence. what individuals lose Is 80
much subtracted from the whole tax
able property, which adds to the taxes
of the remainder. On the other hand,
the discovery of gold and silver and
other useful minerals increases the
wealth of the state, and also adds to
its sum total of individual wealth;
hence, all are interested in q geological
survey as a matter of economy. nav


In 1867, during Governor Throck-
morton's administration, a gentleman
from northern Texas came to the
geographical office, saying that he
belonged to company who were in
search, of copper in the region north of
fort Belknap, and he wanted to know
whether copper in paying quantities
might be found in that country. 1
told him thatit might occur there; that
large quantities of copper were found
in Russia and Germany In similar
geological formation 1.-THE permian),
and I gave him o written statement to
that effect. This he showed to Gov
ernor Throckm0rton, and left to join
his company. The search was screwed
and large deposits of copper found in
Archer county. The copper of north
ern Texas is proved to be worth mil
lions Of dollars, compared to which
the cost Of o geological survey Is
trifie. But this is only one item of the
much good which has already been
done by the geological survey of Texas.
1t has made known a portion of her
vast resources in iron; the iron ores
of Llano and Burnet counties, and
those of eastern Texas; the GOALS of
fort Belknap, of Bastrop, of Milan
and Robertson counties, have first been
brought to notice by the geological
survey. Not only have we done this,
but we have saved much by testing
minerals for individuals.


Every state in the north has had
geological survey or has one now in
progress, and also every one at the
south excepting Florida. Yet there is
not one state east of the Mississippi
which gives promise of such vast min
eral and agricultural resources as
Texas; nor is there one which, has
derived or can derive 30 much benefit
from q geological and agricultural
survey, properly made, as this state: NJ


If we turn to Europe we find that
geological surveys have been made or
are In progress In all its countries.
England has bad one in operation
during the last thirty years; and under
her direction o geological survey. of
Canada began many years ago, and Is
still In progress. The miner must have
the assistance of the geologist and
to determine the value of his
ores. None of the mining companies
in the rich mining states among the
Rocky mountains venture to begin work
before careful geological examinations
are made.


The survey will make known the ag.
ricultural capacity, and adaptation of
the soil for particular crops, and dis
seminate information with regard to
the hest modes ofcultivating the differ
ent grains, grasses, cotton, sugar, to-
bacco, fruits, ETC., for Texas is s0large
that she has q climate and soil suited
to q more varied agriculture than any
other state east of the Rocky noun
tains. Within the last thirty years
the great progress and general diffusion
of agricultural chemistry In Great
Britain and also In New York
and other northern states has more
than doubled the amount per
acre of their agricultural pro-
ductions, and more than tripled the
value of their lands. Nothing will
contribute more to draw capital and
emigration to Texas than the geologi-
cal survey. Only let Texas be known
as she really is, and capital will come,
and people will come to the state. o


Texas is not poor. She Is rich, vastly
rich. Let US exhibit this vast wealth,
large portion OF which is now dor.
mant, and people of other lands VIII
hasten here and bring their families
and money and assist us in managing
and improving our immense estate.


s. B. BUCKLEY,


State Geologist.