GEOLOGia\L, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 245 



giving particular attention to the natural sciences. The suivey in 

 this respect was not in an encouraging position, and the appointment 

 at its head inijilied that the man who accepted it would either fail 

 ignominiously or must find some way to increase the means that were 

 vital to its continuance and its success. It was in view of this that 

 the first annual report closed with the following recommendation : 



lu connection with the subject of increasing the meaas provided for the geo- 

 logical survey, it is suggested that the State lauds known as Salt lands may 

 be so sold or appropriated, under the management of the board of regents of 

 the university, as to be available for that purpose. It would be in perfect con- 

 sonance with the original design in the reservation of these lands from sale. If 

 they were placed in the custody of the boartl of regents, conditioned in their use 

 on the prosecution of the geological and natural history survey of the State, 

 with a view to the early and economical development of the brines of the State. 



« * « « # 4! « 



The question of the existence of brine in the State of Minnesota is one of the 

 most important, in an economical sense, that can be presented for the investi- 

 gation of the survey. It should not be hiistily answered. Too much is involved 

 to be rested on the result of a guess. Too much also is involved to be preju- 

 diced by the failure of unguided expenditures. The tests that may be made 

 ought to be made in the fullest light of all the facts that science with its gen- 

 eralizations can throw upon them. It comes within the scope of geological 

 investigation, and ought not to be hazarded in the hands of empirical novices. 



The salt springs said to occur in this State may have either of two origins: 

 They may be the results of overflow of extensive salt basins embraced in the 

 rocky structure of the State, or they may be the result of superficial accumu- 

 lations similar to the other saline and alkaline deposits that are scattered 

 largely over the western plains. It is not intended now to give this question 

 the discussion its importance demands at the hands of the survey. No investi- 

 gation of the phenomena of the regions where these S])rings exist has been made. 

 It is only intended to suggest the importance of correct scientific processes in 

 the future efforts for their development. 



It was fortunate for the survey that at this juncture tlie public 

 became convinced pretty generally that the legislative aid sought by 

 the Belle Plaine Salt Company, which had been granted by the dona- 

 tion of some of the salt spring lands of the State, even contrary to the 

 recommendation of the geologist, was a scheme to make inroads on 

 the salt spring lands more than for an exploration in good faith of 

 the brine springs that were said to exist at Belle Plaine. It was 

 evident that unless some other use were made of this United States 

 land grant to the State, other enterprising communities or mining 

 companies would discover salt water and would demand more of 

 these lands to aid in the devt'U)pnient of the same. Indeed, Pro- 

 fessor Winchell was hardly known to have been appointed State 

 geologist before he was requested to accompany the officers of the 

 Belle Plaine Salt Company to some other part of the State in order 

 to designate where the next deep well should be sunk for finding brine 

 at the expense of the salt spring lands. Several far-seeing public 



