128 The American Geologist. Feb. i890 
ing the past years ending 1888, and an increase of Russian 
petroleum imported into that country. American imports 
to Great Britain have decreased from 1,367,720 barrels in 1885, 
to 1,286,148 barrels in 1888. Russian import increased, in the 
same period, from 70,149 barrels to 549,126 barrels. 
The gas exploration at Freeborn, Minn., has been aban- 
doned. It was continued, after the first well had penetrated 
through the Trenton without finding gas, into much deeper 
strata, contrary to th^ advice of State Geologist Winchell. 
Then a second well was begun near the former, and that was 
also carried down to the St. Peter sandstone. Still no certain 
evidences of gas were found below the de})th of 75 feet, whence 
has issued all the time, in the drift, a small amount of burning 
gas. Every well that has been drilled within the limits of 
Minnesota, in search of burnin,g-gas, except the first one at 
Freeborn, has been done against the advice of the state geolo- 
gist — about fifteen in number. Not one has produced gas nor 
petroleum, Yet there be men who will drill even in granite 
and gabbro rock in search of gas,. in confidence that "geolog- 
ical theories" are of no value. One false judgement by a geol- 
ogist Aveighs more against geological evidence, in the opinion 
of the men loho drills than a thousand correct ones. 
Mr. Chas. a. Ashburner, well known as a Pennsylvania 
GEOLOGIST, died Dec. 23, 1889, at Pittsburg, Pa., after a short 
illness. In a future number a suitable sketch of his life and 
work will be given. 
Artesian well water-power. — At Keokuk, Mr. J. C. 
Hubinger has recently completed two artesian wells, one of 
935 feet and the other 1,805 feet deep. The two wells furnish 
1,300 gallons per minute. The two wells run tAvo dynamos, 
for furnishing electric light for the city. The third well is 
being sunk to increase the power. The Kimball house well at 
a depth of 735 feet, flows 600 gallons per minute. It is above 
low water mark in the Mississippi, 40 feet. This gives 192,000 
foot pound per minute, nearly six horse power. 
It is not at present knoAvn how high this water would ascend. 
We Avill estimate thirty feet, and substract seven feet per aver- 
age on account of the rise of water in the river, which gives an 
average fall of 63 feet. This yeox 302,400 foot pounds per 
minute, more than a nine horse power, without coal, engineer 
or fireman. When the St. Peter's sand rock is perforated one 
hundred feet, which will be when the well has attained a depth 
of about i,050 feet, the flow wall be largely augumented and 
will attain an altitude in a stand pipe of nearly 100 feet. The 
expense of such a well will not much exceed $2,200. 
Thus, it may be seen, that we have a water power beneath 
our feet vastly cheaper than steam and cheaper than Avater 
power from the river can be made available. — A. S. Tiifany^ 
in the Davenport Trilnine. 
