REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1923 9 
eralogical, mining and quarry interests of the State, so that it may 
safely be said that the State is in possession of intimate knowledge of 
its geological structure and mineral wealth. Several hundred publica- 
tions have been issued on these fields with which the wealth and 
prosperity of the people are closely knit. It is doubtless true that 
the researches and recommendations of the geologists, based upon 
knowledge thus acquired, have increased the wealth of the State in 
vast and even prodigious amounts. 
Mineral and mining industry. In spite of the fact that New York 
has no precious metals, no gold, silver, platinum, no copper or coal, 
its mineral industry is large and varied. About sixty different min- 
erals enter into its commercial production and its raw products 
amount to from 50 to 60 million dollars annually. A statistical 
report on all. mineral production is annually prepared and direct 
touch with all mineral producers of the State is maintained. 
Geological structure map. The areal survey of the rocks and 
their distribution throughout the State has been carried out in 
great detail and the results plotted on the standard topographic map 
to the scale of 1 inch equals 1 mile. On so large a scale only a 
close and refined knowledge can be employed. In consequence of 
this close survey a vast number of structural problems have arisen 
in all parts of the State, the solution of which has led not only to 
an enlargement of the understanding of the foundations of the State 
but have added essentially to the expansion of geological science. 
Geological surface map. Surface deposits lying on top of the 
rock foundations are as a rule very heavy and have in large measure 
a glacial and postglacial origin. Their study concerns the origin 
of our soils and has a direct bearing upon agriculture, so that the 
better class of farmer who develops his land intelligently is bound 
to be more and more interested in the derivation of his soils. The 
study of the distribution of the ice-laid surface materials, of those 
that were drained out from beneath the ice by flowing subglacial 
streams or by floods resulting from the breaking up of the glacial 
lakes, of the extensive changes in geography when in the making of 
much of the present soil all present streamways were flushed, 
scores of now empty valleys were filled and lakes both great 
and small everywhere abounded, brings out an understanding of 
a most important though actually quite recent episode in geological 
history. 
Hydrology. Systematic work on the hydrology of this State 
was inaugurated by the State Museum. In 1905 it published in 
the form of a bulletin of 902 pages with abundant illustrations the 
