Geography of Ohio 161 



in consequence of its discovery. As it was, however, business 

 disaster overtook scores of individuals, and numerous companies, 

 as well as several municipalities. 



South of Findlay, in the vicinity of St. Mary's, another gas 

 field was located, and its early days had a similar history. In 

 more distant parts of the state, the rapid growth of Findlay in- 

 spired communities to exploit their area. At Lancaster, gas was 

 discovered in 1887, and this field, by further drilling, was extended 

 both north and south; on the north it reached through Licking 

 into Knox County, and southward into Hocking County. 



Practically every county in Ohio, before the year 1890, was 

 tested for gas. But in no location, so far as I can learn, was there 

 any thought of conserving this resource. Even the doleful experi- 

 ence of the towns in the northwestern part of the state did not 

 seem to drive the lesson home. So long as any gas flowed, much of 

 it was wasted. 



During the twenty-five years since the Findlay discovery several 

 important gas areas have been found. Even yet, now and then, 

 a new reservoir is located. But a more systematic study of 

 nature's way of hoarding gas has tended to less hazardous testing. 



Conservation. It probably is not far from the truth to sa}' that 

 as much gas has been wasted as has been used in Ohio. It is 

 natural for capital to seek an immediate return, yien are tempted 

 to get the largest possible yield from their investments in the 

 quickest time. Human selfishness is not always wise, in spite of 

 the fact that the progress of a race owes much to the law of sur- 

 vival. This waste of gas in Ohio, as well as in other states, has 

 been allowed to continue already more than a generation. Field 

 after field has given out. Factories have remained in one field 

 unti: the gas w^as exhausted, and then some other community, 

 discovering gas, has invited them there. Wildcat methods have 

 been very common in connection with the use of this natural 

 resource. In every gas community citizens will recall the details 

 of waste. Only in the last two years is there noted a tendency to 

 reserve gas for domestic purposes, but the movement has not 

 assumed gratifying proportions; the largest consumers are sup- 

 plied at a low price; manufacturing establishments are consuming 

 in a few years gas that would be ample for a century of domestic 

 use. Other fuels can be used conveniently in manufactories, 

 whereas no fuel in houses can take the place of gas. 



