MISCELLANEOUS NONMETALLIFEKOUS MINBKAL LANDS. 141 



has not been obtained, although the data gathered are entirely ade- 

 quate for the purposes for which they have been sought. 



No particular method is at present followed in the field examina- 

 tion of deposits of these minerals, and there is no necessity for 

 methods materially different from those pursued in detailed work 

 on other metalliferous or nonmetalliferous deposits. Nor do the 

 requirements as to the data to be gathered and the form in which they 

 should be assembled differ essentially from those for other minerals. 

 In addition to the location, a brief description of the nature and geo- 

 logic structure of the rocks in which the deposits occur, with data 

 regarding the thickness and succession of the rocks, their dip and 

 strike, the extent of the deposits, and analyses of the material, are 

 all important in the examination of bedded deposits. In the consid- 

 eration of vein deposits data regarding the character of the vein, 

 the systems and directions of joints, fissures, and fractures which may 

 liave formed the ore cavities, the dip and strike of the veins, the 

 nature of the gangue material, and the wall rock are equally im- 

 portant. Statements of production are always desirable. The ques- 

 tion of relative value — ^that is, of mineral value as compared with 

 agricultural, power, or other values — ^must be considered in the classi- 

 fication of some lands because of the fact that the laws governing the 

 disposition of certain minerals refer specifically to lands that are 

 " chiefly valuable " therefor. Other factors, some or all of which are 

 in many cases to be ^considered in judging the relative value of a 

 mineral deposit, are the following: 



1. Demand for the mineral, bothi present and future. 



2. Character of the deposit ; chemical and physical properties and extent. 



3. Location with reference to market and in some cases to fuel supply. 



4. Transportation facilities and rates. 



5. Market price of the product. 



6. Whether or not the particular deposit possesses other peculiar advantages 

 tendering it more valuable than like deposits in the region and elsewhere. 



The character of the deposits, their location, and the transporta- 

 tion facilities influence the cost of production by their effect on the 

 cost of working the deposits, the cost of the plant, and in some 

 places the cost of the fuel used in the manufacture of the product. 

 These factors may also exert a most important influence on the sell- 

 ing price of the output by their effect on the cost of placing it in the 

 market. 



If the earlier geologic examinations had been made with a view 

 to classification more precise, instrumental work and a record of all 

 the factors outlined as having a bearing on the deposits would have 

 been required. No attempt has yet been made to systemize for 

 purposes of land classification the available data regarding these 

 minerals, and although the Geological Survey has prepared and sub- 



