geulouicilL a.:^d :sai:uI\ai. histoky suiweys. 483 



aud under suitable conditions und .surroundings to make it reason- 

 ably certain that it will be profitable to work them. 



2. An investigation of the geological formation and the topog- 

 raphy of the country with a view to determining the probability of 

 obtaining artesian water arid the feasilnlity of irrigating from such 

 w'ells as well :is from streams, shallow wells, or tanks, where neces- 

 sary. 



8. The determination of the adaptability of soils to certain crops, 

 and how their fertility can be increased by the use of materials 

 nearest at hand. 



•Jr. The search for and developn^ent of useful ai-ticles :is yet not 

 fully known. 



Prelhnman/ work. — The short time intervening ))et\veen the pre- 

 liminary organization of the survey and the meeting of the legis- 

 lature, for which a report had to be prepared, made it necessary to 

 spend the time in a very rapid reconnoissance in oixler to get together 

 as much general inforination as possible regarding the mineral de- 

 posits of the State for the information and use of the legislature. 



Von Streeruwitz reported for duty on September 29, and was 

 sent out with instructions to make a careful investigation of the 

 mineral and agricultural resources of the trans-Pecos region. Cum- 

 iuins re})orted on Octobes' 2 and took the field Avith instructions 

 to make a section of the central coal formation, determining the 

 number of coal seajns which exist in it, together Avith their char- 

 acter and thickn.ess. Peniose, owing to previous engagements, did 

 not rep<3rt for duty until November 12, Avhen he began work by 

 proceeding to Jefferson to investigate the iron, limestone, and as- 

 phaltum de])osits of east Texas. Work in southern Texas was ap- 

 portioned to J. Owen, of Eagle Pass; J. L. Tait and G. Jermy, of 

 San Antonio, as temporary assistants. 



The results of the three months' work in the form of reports from 

 the geologists and assistants, together Avith an introduction by the 

 State geologist. Averc published as the first report of progress, and 

 upon the shoAving made the legislature made appropriation for the 

 <'ontinuance of the w'ork for two 5'ears from March 1, 1889. 



The Avork being provided for biennially, the State geologist de- 

 cided that the first year of each term would be devoted to the broader 

 features of areal and stratigraphic geolog;y Avith special reference to 

 the occuri'ence of mineral deposits, Avhile the Avork of the second year 

 would be principally' the stud}' of these deposits and a more detailed 

 investigation of the beds containing them, and thereafter planned 

 the work of each field party accordingly. 



The geologists named Avere continued in the field. Additional 

 chemiciil Avoik Avas provider] foi- at the Agricultural and Mechanical 



