96 JOURNAL OF THE 



year to this work, aud at the end of the year he resigned and 

 returned to Virginia. His work met with popular favor, and 

 it was generally regretted that he could not be induced to con- 

 tinue it longer. 



His methods of operation were simple. The occurrence of 

 marl being limited to the eastern or southern half of the State 

 (the coastal plain region), his work was largely confined to this 

 area, all portions of which he traversed in search of marl, shell- 

 rock and other sources of lime, and in explaining their use to the 

 planters. 



In locating marl beds he used (1) a long auger, boring through 

 the overlying soil ; and in some cases (2) a steel gouge attached 

 to the end of a long measuring rod; in still other cases (3) he 

 had lioles dug through the overlying soil with ordinary farm 

 tools; occasionally supplementing these methods by searching 

 along the banks of creeks and larger streams. The presence or 

 absence of carbonate of lime in specimens was determined by 

 use of muriatic acid or vinegar. For a number of samples the 

 percentage of lime present was determined by chemical analyses, 

 made in part by Mr. Ruffiu himself, and in part by Dr. J. Law- 

 rence Smith,* who subsequently became so well known as a 

 chemist. 



The following extract from a letter written long afterwards by 

 the late Dr. H. W. Ravenei, of Aiken, S. C, well illustrates 

 Mr. Ruffiu's general mode of procedure. He sa3'S: 



At the time of Mr. RiifEn's survey I was a planter in iSt. John's, Berkley 

 Parish, ahout forty miles north of Charleston. We had a flourishing agricult- 

 ural society, and my first acquaintance with him was at one of our anniver- 

 sary meetings. He attended this meeting by invitation purposely to consult 

 with the planters and to urge and recommend the use of calcareous marls, 

 which were abundant in that region. He made a long address (or lecture) on 

 the subject, and remained in our neighl)orhood for some weeks, going from 

 place to place and assisting aud suggesting how and where to obtain these 

 marls. 



Thus he traveled about from county to county, neighborhood 

 to neighborhood, urging upon farmers the use of marl and other 



*Prof. L. R. Gibbes, of Charleston, S. C, in a letter to the writer. 



