64 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



cotton- wood trees would each, furnish one to two ties for a railroad, and 

 the locusts good posts for a wire fence. 



This question of the planting of forest-trees is one of the most im- 

 portant that can demand the attention of the citizens of the State, and 

 too much cannot be said in regard to it. 



There is another question of importance to the West generally. While 

 there are most abundant materials for the manufacture of brick all over 

 the State, the fuel that is required to burn them forms a serious draw- 

 back, and it is an important matter to ascertain whether the making of 

 pressed brick would not prove in this country a success. The dryness of 

 the atmosphere in this country is most favorable for the experiment. 

 Mr. S. P. Eeed, superintendent of construction on the Union Pacific 

 Eailroad, a most intelligent and liberal-minded gentleman, tells me that 

 he has made the experiment at Fremont, Dodge County, where he made 

 40,000 bricks in this way, and that his success was comf)lete. This fact 

 shows that a great obstacle is removed out of the way of the immediate 

 settlement of a great portion of this State. 



I would here say that the numerous successful experiments upon 

 building materials, and for other purposes, by this powerful and wealthy 

 corporation, will be of incalculable value to the State, the future pros- 

 perity of which, it seems to me, will be very largely due to its energy and 

 skill.' 



Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 



F. Y.HAYDEN^, 

 United States Geologist. 



Hon. Jos. S. Wilson, 



Commissioner of the General Land-Office. 



