PREFACE. 



The Report on the Geology and Agriculture of Mississippi 

 herewith presented to the public, and more especially, to the people 

 of Mississippi, is intended to embrace the observations and results 

 heretofore obtained in connection with the Geological and Agri- 

 cultural Survey of the State, so far as they are complete in them- 

 selves, or calculated to impart useful information, either practical 

 or scientific, as to the natural character and resources of the State. 



There exists a great diversity of opinion, both among professional 

 men and the public generally, as to what ought to be the character 

 and extent of the investigations connected with State Surveys of 

 this kind ; nor can this be surprising in view of the fact, that the 

 execution of such works under the auspices of State governments, 

 has only been inaugurated at quite a recent date,- since the rapid 

 progress of industrial pursuits by the aid of science, has rendered 

 the claim of those depending more immediately upon the natural 

 resources of the land, to similar assistance, too clear and pressing 

 to be longer disregarded. At first, these Surveys contemplated 

 mainly the development of the mineral resources of the countries 

 to be examined ; but the obvious importance of a simultaneous 

 observation of the prospects offered to other pursuits, has gradually 

 so expanded the sphere of investigation, that its limits, as well as 

 the principal and primary subjects of investigation are now 

 generally determined chiefly by the pecuniary means provided for 

 the purpose, in connection with the natural conditions and first 

 aecessities of the regions to be explored. 



