282 



competition with the rich salt springs of western New York, induced a 

 temporaiy abandonment. 



Thus much may be said, that there can be scarcely a doubt, that 

 when these difficulties shall have been surmounted, as they must soon 

 be, Michigan will not only furnish salt sufficient for the consumption of 

 her own population, but her salt wells will be second in character, and 

 yearly profit, to none in the United States. 



The completion of the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad, will do more 

 than any event that has occurred, to develop our resources of Coal,. 

 Plaster, and Salt ; passing, as it will, through the heart of those portions 

 of oui State, which abound in these minerals, and which are, at the 

 same time, not behind any in their agricultural capabilities. 



Some of the other mineral products of the State, mentioned in the 

 annual reports, have also, since their date, been more fully developed. 

 The Kidney-hon of Branch County, and the Bog-ores of Kalamazoo, 

 are now worked with profit ; and the value of Marl, both for Hme, and 

 in its application to the soil, as well as its abundance, is now known and 

 appreciated throughout the State. 



I subjoin a reduced copy of a Diagram, which was intended to illus- 

 trate my Report of 1840. It shoiUd have accompanied that Repoi-t, 

 but was omitted, as there was at that time no engraver in the State 

 who could execute it. 



It is intended to show the rocky bases which would be brought to 

 view, if the country could be cleft through, in a line from Lake Erie to 

 Maple River, in Clinton County. The rocks in this section are grouped 

 according to their distinguishing characters and relative position ; and 

 each group is distinguished by an alphabetical letter. The sub-divi- 

 sions of some of these groups, their contained minerals, <fec., are des- 

 cribed in that Report. The diagi-am reversed, will give, as a section of 

 the rocks, from the same central part of the coal basin, to Lake Michi- 

 gan, at Traverse Bay. 



I will close, with the hope, that your laudable endeavors to difiiise 

 a more general knowledge of the resources of Michigan, may meet with 

 the proper appreciation. Truly yours, 



BELA HUBBARD. 



