GEOLOGY OF SOUTHWESTERN IOWA. 327 



in other parts. Some thin beds of coal, and possibly one of 

 profitable thickness, belonging to the Middle coal measures, 

 would doubtless be passed through within the first two or 

 three hundred feet. In any case it is thought that the whole 

 thickness of both the Lower and Middle coal-measures, 

 together with all the coal-beds they may contain, would be 

 passed through by a shaft five or six hundred feet in depth 

 from the point before named in Grand river valley; and the 

 hope of finding one or more good beds of coal within that 

 depth may be reasonably entertained. 



The proportionally large amount of woodland in Decatur 

 county, in a great degree, compensates for the present want of 

 coal. This is sufficient, not only to supply the inhabitants 

 with all necessary fuel, but also with their fencing material 

 and a large part of their building lumber. A very large 

 proportion of the trees are oaks of several species, but the 

 other ordinary varieties of forest trees are well represented. 



Brick clays of good quality are obtainable in many parts 

 of the county, especially upon the ridges and approaches 

 to the valleys where the soil proper is thin. Thus with its 

 timber, stone, and brick clays, Decatur county is compara- 

 tively well supplied with building materials of its own 

 production. 



The soil may be designated in general terms as clayey, 

 at least enough so to make it retentive and durable; preser- 

 ving its primitive fertility undiminished through many years 

 of cultivation without manuring. It is claimed by the 

 inhabitants to be peculiarly adapted to grass and pasturage. 

 The question of the success of fruit raising has not yet 

 been fully tested, but there are good reasons to believe that 

 the ordinary orchard fruits and grapes will prove a complete 

 success. The numerous valley-sides and slopes possess 

 the same general characters in every respect, and the same 

 climate that those portions of Lee and Des Moines counties 

 do whose fruits have already become so justly celebrated. 



