OUSLA Je AD abla DOr 
REPORT OF CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 
By N. W. Lorp, Chemist of the Survey. 
In completing the present volume a large amount of chemical 
-work was called for, especially in the newer portions of the mineral 
field. The analyses for the present survey were all made under my 
direction in the laboratory of the Mining Department of the State 
University at Columbus, during the last two years. 
In this connection I wish particularly to acknowledge the efficiency 
and accuracy of my assistant, Mr. Willis J. Root, in whose hands the 
larger part of the laboratory work was placed, to whose skill as an 
analyst, I take pleasure in testifying. | 
In order to make the analyses of value it was necessary to take 
great care in securing the samples, avoiding selected hap-hazard ones. 
For this purpose all assistants in the field were instructed to take their 
own samples. The instructions were as follows: ‘Secure samples for 
analysis from largely-worked localities; take fragments from not less 
than 50 blocks, reduce them to small pieces, thoroughly intermix them, 
and take two or three lbs.; * * * * make sure of fair average.” 
The above applies to coal and iron ore. Limestones, clays, etc., were 
sampled in the same general manner, with such minor changes as the 
character of the material suggested. An alternative method was some- 
times used in which the samples for analysis were secured by channeling 
the entire coal seam from top to bottom, only the partings and rejected 
portions of the seam being omitted. The samples so taken were sent 
in canvas bags to the laboratory, marked with name of sender, locality, 
and such other notes as served to fully place them; as soon as received 
they were placed on record and marked with a proper laboratory number. 
‘The sample was prepared for analysis by grinding the whole as re- 
ceived, ina mortar, sifting all through a sieve of from 4 to #)-inch 
mesh, according to size of the original sample ; this was then thoroughly 
mixed, divided, and at least a pound put through a 45-inch seive. This 
