30 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
for the propulsion of machinery, and the magnificent forests of yellow birch 
and maple will yield an ample supply of charcoal for the reduction of the 
•ores; while, at the landing by the lake shore, the lee of Little Presqe Isle 
forms a shelter for vessels in all but north-east storms. The cities along the 
shores of the lower lakes, will, at all times, afford market for these products, 
whether wrought into the finer varieties of bar iron and steel, or in the form 
of blooms and pigs. When we consider the natural advantages which these 
localities present, it seems reasonable to suppose that the day is not distant 
when the fabrication of iron will be successfully and extensively prosecuted 
in this region.” 
The Iron Ridge of Dodge County is hardly less interesting 
than the Penokie Range just described. Its limits have not been 
very well defined, but it is the opinion of geologists who have 
hastily examined it, that it covers an area of some twelve 
miles square, being confined chiefly to Dodge County, though 
extending in a south-easterly direction into Washington Coun¬ 
ty. The ore appears to occur as a regularly included stratum, 
between two limestone strata of the Clinton and Niagara 
Group, as before named ; a thin stratum of clay or shale inter¬ 
vening between it and the rock upon which it rests. This iron 
stratum varies in thickness from eight to thirty, and even sixty 
feet, arid dips so slightly as to be susceptible of economical 
working to the limit of its extent. The form of occurence is 
that of small flattened nodules, cemented together. When ex¬ 
posed upon the surface and separated by weathering, these 
nodules have a greasy feel, and the appearance of flax-seed, 
which circumstance has given them the name of “ seed ore.” 
Mineralogically and chemically considered this ore presents 
some peculiar characteristics—the most marked of which is 
the small proportion of silex, as compared with many other ores, 
particularly that of Penokie Range. The following analysis 
by Dr. Owen and Prof. Cassels, respectively, will show the 
great difference in this respect: 
Proximate constituents of Pcnokee Iron Ore, from Tyler's Fork — Dr. Given. 
Peroxide of Iron,.,.51.5 per cent. 
Protoxide “ .27.1 “ 
Mixed Oxides, 
Silica,. 
Magnesia,.. 
Alkali,. 
Fluoric Acid,.. 
..78.G= 
..20.8 
..00.6 
..50.2 
trace. 
56.3 iron. 
100.2 
