22 brooks: applied geology 



second diagram (Fig. 2). In this, it will be seen that in 1890 less 

 than 1 per cent of the publications issued by the federal survey 

 treated of applied geology, and in 1910 the percentage was 98. 

 Considering it by decades: For the ten years ending in 1895 the 

 average of economic papers was 11 per cent of the total number 

 of publications; in the following decade, 71 per cent; and in the 

 last five years, 92 per cent. 



These figures are not to be interpreted as evidence that pure 

 science has not been recognized in these publications of the federal 

 survey. I have classed with the applied geology group all publi- 

 cations which treat in any measure of this subject, though many 

 of them deal chiefly with problems of more purely scientific inter- 

 est. For example , the geologic folios, which include some of the 

 most notable contributions to pure science, are here included in the 

 literature of applied geology. To me it is less surprising that 

 nearly all the recent publications contain some practical deduc- 

 tions than that most of those of twenty years ago omitted all 

 data of this kind. 



The marked tendency toward practical problems, as indicated 

 by these figures, is by no means confined to one organization, for 

 it is exhibited in the same degree by state surveys and is also 

 reflected in the work of the universities. Nor is it limited to this 

 continent, for countries as widely separated geographically and in 

 scientific traditions as South America, Japan, and Germany show 

 similar signs. Everywhere geologic research of practical prob- 

 lems is receiving more and more support, both publicly and pri- 

 vately. 



It is pertinent to consider the attitude of the public at large 

 toward this economic tendency. There are undoubtedly those 

 who believe that the direction of scientific work should rest entirely 

 with the investigator and not with the people. Let them bear 

 in mind that geologic investigations, since they involve heavy 

 expenditures and trespass on private property, can, for the most 

 part be properly carried on only through government agencies, in 

 this differing from such sciences as chemistry, physics, or biology, 

 which can be furthered by private means. If geologic surveys 

 are properly a function of the state, in the last analysis the people 



