CLAY COUNTY. 97 



Mineral Springs. — At Mr. Sailor's place, about eight miles east of 

 Louisville, on the X. E. qr. of sec. 25, T. 4, E. 7, there are several springs, 

 the waters of which have some reputation for their medicinal qualities. 

 The springs apparently have their origin in the quick-sands below the 

 drift-clays, and the water conies bubbling up very freely at numerous 

 points along the valley of a small branch. Gas escapes quite freely 

 from these springs at intervals, giving the water the appearance of 

 boiling under a strong heat. After a short time the boiling motion 

 ceases, and the water remains quiet until the escaping gas again sets it 

 in motion. An analysis of this water has been made, and I was promised 

 a copy of the result for publication in this report, but it has not come 

 to hand. 



Soil, Timber, etc. — The soil in this county presents no marked varia- 

 tion from that in the adjoining counties, and need not be discussed 

 farther in this place. Although much of the timbered land has been 

 subdued and brought under cultivation since the first settlement of the 

 county, the rapid growth of the remaining portion, with the addition of 

 the brushy lands, which, since the annual fires have been kept down, 

 have been covered with a fine growth of young timber, has nearly or 

 quite kept up the original supply, and there is probably about as much 

 timber in the county at the present time as there was in its early settle- 

 ment. 



We are indebted to Mr. H. S. Watson and Mr. S. Johnson, of Louis- 

 ville, for important information and personal assistance while prosecu- 

 ting our work in this county. 



