i £ INTRODUCTION. 



lected from various parts of the state, now numbering between two and 

 three hundred, have developed such important, interesting and practically 

 useful results, and thrown so much insight into the peculiar constitution of 

 the soils, derived from particular geological formations, and the individual 

 members of these formations, that all the well-informed and intelligent 

 part of the farming community, whose soils yet remain unexamined for 

 want of adequate time, is already calling loudly for an extension of the 

 same system of chemico-agricultural investigation over their portion of 



the state. 



Again the iron-master, for-want of a knowledge of the chemical con- 

 stitution of ores easily accessible and conveniently situated to his furnace, 

 has often been rejecting his richest and best ores, which, now that he has 

 become aware of their composition and productiveness, through the dis- 

 closures of the geological survey, he works with greater profit and advan- 

 tage than any of those ores previously employed. 



Numerous instances have occurred in which deluded men, ignorant of 

 the nature of minerals, have expended their labor and means in mining 

 after ores, either comparatively of little value, or containing none of the 

 metal they confidently expected to extract from them, and have only been 

 persuaded to desist from their ruinous proceedings by the demonstrations 

 and counsel given them by the geologist. 



The capitalist, miner and business man have had their attention called 

 to various parts of the state, and are either examining the various sections 

 of the state in person, or sending out their agents for the purpose of mak- 

 ing locations for future mining or manufacturing operations. 



Moreover: it is incumbent on every state in the confederacy, to contri- 

 bute her utmost to prevent the enormous drain made on this country, at 

 the present time, for manufactured products imported into this country. 

 In the article of iron, alone, and that chiefly railroad iron, recent statistics 

 show that this country is importing upwards of 500,000 tons, at a cost of 

 over $3,000,000 annually. Such a drain on our moneyed resources— such 

 a serious balance of trade against us— should certainly be put an end to 

 as speedily as possible; and this is only to be accomplished by the imme- 

 diate increase in the manufacture of iron throughout the different states 



of the Union. 



It can be shown by the most reliable calculations, that iron can be pro- 

 duced in the western states, where facilities exist for its manufacture, by 

 the simultaneous occurrence of good iron ore and coal, suitable for its 

 reduction, convenient to navigation on our larger streams, not only as 

 cheaply as in England, but, in consequence of the duty on imported iron, 

 and the greater cost of carriage and commission, at a cheaper rate than 



