PREFACE. 
Field work in the preparation of this report was begun in the early 
fall of 1908. At that time it was expected that the fullers earth de¬ 
posits of the State as a whole would be reported upon in a single 
bulletin. It has been found, however, that the fullers earth deposits 
are much more widely extended than was previously supposed, and 
it is not advisable to delay publication until the entire State has been 
covered. Fullers earth was first discovered and mined in America 
in Gadsden County, Florida. This section, therefore, formed a na¬ 
tural starting point in the study of fullers earth, and as the field work 
in this county is now nearing completion this preliminary report is 
issued in order that the results obtained may be given promptly to the 
public. This paper may, therefore, be regarded as a report of progress 
in the study of the fullers earth deposits of Florida. 
The Survey is indebted to those engaged in mining fullers earth 
for the uniform courtesy that has been invariably extended in making 
available all possible information regarding these deposits as shown 
by their respective mining operations. To the many citizens and land 
owners who have assisted with general information the thanks of the 
Survey are also due. The soil survey map of Gadsden County issued 
by the United States Department of Agriculture has been of great 
assistance. The location of railroads, streams and other natural features 
on the accompanying map of Gadsden County is taken from this soil 
map. The notes previously made on the Gadsden County fullers earth 
by T. W. Vaughan have also been of service in this study. 1 Several 
analyses have been made in connection with the preparation of this 
report by the State Chemist. These are credited in the text. 
The features of this paper which will probably be found of most 
practical value in the hands of land owners and of others interested in 
fullers earth may be summarized as follows: 
(1.) A guide rock associated with and indicating the presence of 
fullers earth is recognized and described. This guide rock consists of 
a greenish to gray or yellowish sand or sandstone. This sandstone is, 
in Gadsden County, a part of the fullers earth series and its presence 
in this section indicates the place of the fullers earth. This rock is in 
places indurated and resistant to decay. It thus often stands out and 
is exposed where the fullers earth itself is entirely covered. 
1 Mineral Resources, U. S. Geol. Survey for 1901, pp. 922-934, 1902 ; Bulletin 
U. S. Geol. Survey, 213, pp. 392-399, 1903. 
