218 



GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 



has been so eroded that it is left only in patches of varying size, sepa- 

 rated by the valleys. These patches of coal, containing from ten to one 

 hundred acres of the coal, will all prove valuable ultimately if properly 

 cared for ; but if the present method of penny-wise mining be continued 

 by farmers, many of the smaller patches will be worthless before ten years. 

 Workings should not be deserted without good cause, nor should cham- 

 bering be began near the mouth of the entry. In many hills several 

 deserted banks may be seen not one hundred feet apart. In these the 

 timbers have rotted, the hill-side has fallen in, and now, instead of com- 

 pact rock, the material is a shattered debris, which effectually prevents 

 access to the coal within. The method now employed of obtaining the 

 greatest quantity of coal in the shortest space of time, and with the least 

 possible expenditure of money, is sure to prove ruinous. 



Iron. — The ore horizons of Coals Nos. 7, 7a, and 7b, though by no means 

 fully explored, give sufficient evidence of good ore to encourage careful 

 examination in North, Monroe, Washington, and Freeport townships. 



The lead tradition is strong in several localities, and one enthusiastic 

 individual residing not far from Freeport expended a good deal of time 

 and some money in exploration, but without success. No lead, silver, 

 zinc, tin, copper, or gold will ever be found in economical quantities among 

 rocks of the. Coal Measures. Where lead has been found, it belonged to 

 the stores accumulated by the Indians, and is no evidence of lead deposits 

 in the vicinity, for lead never occurs in the metallic condition. 



Building Materials. — In the eastern section of the county, stone for build- 

 ing purposes is not plenty, though one or two of the higher sandstones 

 are employed. Farm-houses are built of wood, and in the villages brick 

 is used. In the western townships, the sandstone over Coal No. 7 afiords 

 an unlimited supply. This rock is too soft to be used under foot, but 

 certainly makes a handsome material for walls. Lime of good quality 

 for ordinary work is obtained from the limestones under and over Coal 

 No. 8, but none of it is white enough for in-door work. The upper layers 

 of the limestone over Coal No. 8 will furnish a hydraulic lime. Clay, of 

 good quality for ordinary bricks, is found nearly every where in the sub- 

 soil, though in some of the eastern townships there is sufficient limestone 

 to render it worthless. No good fire-clays were seen. 



