14 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 
