OBJECTS OF THE WORK. 7 
not only sees that machinery is in proper condition and that it is 
properly handled , but also studies and keeps careful records of the 
character of the rocks to be penetrated, their dip, and the nature 
of the joints, seams, or bedding which may control the occurrence 
of water, a contract can be given with much greater assurance of 
success than to one who drills blindly ahead without such study 
and records. 
ASSISTANCE TO DRILLERS OR OTHERS. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Information in regard to rock succession and structure. — No matter 
how complete and thorough a driller's information in regard to a given 
field may be, there almost always comes a time when he is required to 
sink a well in new and unknown territory. One of the commonest 
requests received by the Survey is for information as to the nature 
of the rock at a certain point in such regions, as to the depths of 
supposed productive horizons, and as to the characters of the forma- 
tions which must be penetrated to reach them. This information 
will be cheerfully furnished by the Survey whenever the data are 
available, and it is hoped the driller and well owner will reciprocate 
by furnishing such details as will enable this organization to offer 
even more definite advice in the future. 
Information in regard to prospects for water, oil, or gas. — The 
demand for information in regard to prospects for oil, gas, or water 
is great and constantly increasing. While it is of course impossible 
in most cases to make absolute predictions as to the occurrence of 
these substances, even after detailed investigations in the field, and 
it is still more impracticable to make them from the office, yet for 
certain regions and for certain rocks it is possible to make very 
definite statements and to give advice which if followed would 
prevent the waste of hundreds of thousands of dollars in drilling 
in hopeless situations. For other regions, while only the drill will 
finally decide the presence or absence of water, oil, or gas, certain 
generalizations can often be made from the success of wells in adjacent 
territory, the data relating to which are constantly being collected 
by the Survey, thereby enabling it to furnish to the driller free of 
cost information which might give him much trouble to obtain 
otherwise. Every record furnished by a driller helps to a better 
understanding of the conditions and makes possible the giving of 
more accurate advice by the Survey. 
Suggestions in regard to drilling methods. — The methods of drilling 
in different types of material, the methods of handling quicksand, 
and many other problems connected with the sinking of deep wells 
are under investigation by the Geological Survey, which will gladly 
furnish the driller with such suggestions in regard to his difficulties 
as its experience warrants. 
