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FARMERS' REGISTER— ADDRESS BY J. P. GUSHING. 



much marl found in it. I am much better ac- 

 quainted with the country between here and the 

 mountains, and am inclined to think it chiefly of 

 primary formation. The resource for calcareous 

 manure on which this latter country must rely, 

 depends chiefly on some ranjijes of limestone rock, 

 which pass through it. A few miles to the west 

 of Liberty, in Bedford, some limestone quarries 

 have been opened, and there are three strata pass- 

 ing through Campbell and striking James river, 

 near Lynchburg. # » * * * 



Could you sum up for the Register, some of the 

 best reasons for the formation of agricultural socie- 

 ties, it might, probably do much good. I believe 

 that such institutions would greatly co-operate 

 with a good periodical, in producing the best re- 

 sults. Indeed, I doulst whether Avithout them, a 

 true spirit of improvement can be diffused through 

 the country. ***** 



THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTIGATING THE 

 MINERAL RESOURCES OF VIRGINIA, FOR 

 PROMOTING AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT 

 AND NATIONAL WEALTH. 



Extract from an Jlddress delivered by J. P. dish- 

 ing, A. M. President of Hampden Sydney Col- 

 lege, before the Historical and Philosophical So- 

 ciety of Virginia. 



" Geology, although it presents a most interest- 

 ing field of inquiry, has received but little atten- 

 tion until within a few years past. In former times, 

 geology consisted of a series of visionary specula- 

 tions, to account for the formation and changes of 

 our globe; but within the last half century, it has 

 assumed an entirely new character, and has now 

 become a science reared upon numerous and accu- 

 rate observations of facts; and, therefore, has as- 

 sumed a rank among those sciences, which stand 

 upon the basis of induction. It is not difficult, now, 

 for a skilful geologist, from an examination of the 

 exterior substances of the earth, to become ac- 

 quainted with its interior structure. 



" In America, there were no combined efforts 

 made for investigating the geology of our country, 

 until 1820, when the men of science in different 

 parts of the United States, assembled at New Ha- 

 ven and formed the American Geological Society. 

 Through the influence of that society many parts 

 of our country have been explored, and a mass of 

 geological facts and specimens collected together, 

 and noticed by our scientific journals. Thus, an 

 interest has been excited, which promises much 

 for the future. 



" The science of mineralogy , which is intimately 

 connected with that of geology, is also in its in- 

 fancy in our country. This science has a very 

 important and extensive range; its object is to 

 describe and classify the different objects of inor- 

 ganic matter, and to explain their peculiar proper- 

 ties and uses. Every substance which is not the 

 immediate product of some organized body, be- 

 longs to the mineral kingdom; and all such sub- 

 stances are divided by inineralogists, into four 

 classes. (The first includes all earthy compounds, 

 such as the topaz, quartz, diamond: the second, 

 saline substances; tlie third, inflammable bodies, 

 such as sulphur, coal, peat, &c. ; the fourth, metals 

 or metal ic ores.) The importance of this science 

 cannot be Avell overrated. Whether it be viewed 

 as tending to increase individual wealth, to improve 



agriculture, and multiply arts and manufactures, 

 and thus promote the public good; 'or as affording 

 a pleasant subject of scientific research,' it re- 

 commends itself to the attention of the citizen, and 

 the scholar. 



" The mineralogy of the United Slates is now 

 admitted to be as rich and as valuable as that of 

 any other countiy. Our statesmen of enlarged 

 views, as well as the devotees of science, have, for 

 some time past, perceived the immense advantages 

 that will be derived to our country from a thorough 

 investigation of its mineral treasures. To secure 

 this important object, geological and mineralogical 

 societies have been formed in nearly all of the old, 

 and in many of the new states. Within the last 

 ten years, the legislatures of Massachusetts, New 

 York, Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South 

 Carolina, Georgia, and probably some others, per- 

 ceiving that a correct knowledge of their mineral 

 resources, and a proper application of them, would 

 greatly increase their physical power and means 

 of internal improvement, have appropriated from ■ 

 time to time, funds, to secure accurate and minute 

 geological and mineralogical surveys of their re- 

 spective territories. In this way, all their citizens 

 have it in their power to ascertain the properties 

 and locations of the different species of rocks, ores, 

 coal, natural soils, chymical manures, and mineral 

 waters in each section of the country. Thus, the 

 interests of individuals, and of the state, as well 

 as of science, are promoted. 



" Thus far experience has proved, that the more 

 the mineral treasures are explored, the more they 

 abundantly repay the research ; and we trust that 

 shortly, we shall no longer ignorantly tread under 

 our feet or permit to remain unobserved minerals 

 of great curiosity and value, and ' import from 

 other countries, frequently at great expense, what 

 we possess abundantly, at home.' 



" There can be no doubt, sir, but that Virginia 

 is as rich in geological and mineralogical produc- 

 tions as any of her sister states. The aspect of 

 our country is marked by striking and prominent 

 characteristics, indicating a great variety in its 

 geological structure. Our mountains and valleys 

 contam valuable minerals, and abound in medici- 

 nal waters, and the middle and lower sections of 

 the state, possess many highly important chymical 

 and mineralogical formations. But, as yet, these 

 subjects have been but little attended to, by our 

 citizens. 



" Without attempting a complete enumeration 

 of the various minerals which have already been 

 discovered, in the state; we will mention some of 

 them. Many of the rocks, belonging to the three 

 great classes, viz. the primitive, secondary, and 

 transition, have been found here. Among the 

 number, are, granite, gneis, mica, quartz, soap- 

 stone, shorl, asbestus, hornblende, garnet, and 

 limestone. Also some of the more important 

 metals have been discovered, viz. tin, zinc, lead, 

 copper, silver, iron, gold, and barites. Besides 

 the substances mentioned, chalk, salt wells and 

 licks, coal, gypsum, and several species of marl, 

 have been long known to exist in the state. 



" The limestone of the valley is of very good 

 quality, and, as our internal improvements pro- 

 gress, will increase in value. It is said there are 

 different species of marble in the neighborhood of 

 James river, which could be used in the arts to 

 great advantage. The western mountains contain 



