NJDEP - NJGS - First Annual Report of the Geological Survey of the ...

:14these labem are among the most valuable eontri'b'utlons to sciencethat this country has afforded, and will stand as mo_umeatsto the high scientific attainments and indefatigable iuldustry of their authors.During the past three or four years, many detailed local examinationshave been made in the mineral regions of the Stateby eminent scientific men, which have resulted in very valua:ble discoveries of new minerals and natural, fertilizers. But asthe investigations have been made solely for the advancementof private interests, tile people at large have been but littlebenefited thereby, and indeed have frequently parted withvaluable property in mineral districts for a trifllng nonsidera.tion ; things which would not have occurred had they beenpossessed of such reliable information as a detailed geologicalsurvey would have afforded..,it the time of the last geological survey, very little attentionwas paid to the importance of the application of chemicaland geolo_cal researches to agriculture. The State was corn:paratively thinly settled) and the average quantity of rich virginlands being very great in proportion to the inhabitants, itsnecessity and value were not so apparent as at the presenttime, when a eonstalat tide of immigration is densely populatingits territory) and the once rich lands are becoming impover..ished by an exhausting system of tillage.MINERAL RODS) HAZEL WITCHES) FOOL)S GOLD) SEARCHINO FORGOLD.The frequent applications that have been made to me forthe loan of divining or mineral rods, either for the purpose ofdiscovering the hidden treasures that lie concealed beneath thehurface of the earth, or for reaching some vein of gold, silver,or copper) of. which a traditionary account has been handeddown from generation to generation, or for exploring the spotwhere a flash ofligh.t has been seen, or an explosion heard--which by many arc believed to be infallible signs of the oe-NEW JERSEY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY