Letter from I. A. Lapham to A. C. May, p. 2

1873.

to be expended in other parts of the state.

It is the business of the State Geologist to examine the structure, the dip, number, magnitude, and relative position of the various rock strata, and in the lead region especially to make a careful topographical survey for the purpose of ascertaining, as far as possible, the amount of denudation, and the exact position of the mining ground at each locality.

We thus give to the miner correct and tangible information by which to conduct his operations in prospecting for new ranges &c., by showing which are and which are not mineral bearing rocks, with their localities, &c. This is precisely what Mr. Strong, under instructions from me, is doing, and this will be first accomplished, for the whole lead region.

It is the business of the miner and not of the geologist to search with pick in hand, within the limits thus defined, for mineral ranges, sinking shafts here and there until he meets with success.

It then, and not till then, becomes the proper business of the mining engineer to make those minute and detailed investigations and surveys that are needed in the preparation of working plans, maps, profiles, &c. showing the most proper and economical method of working the mines so discovered.

Such surveys and plans are necessary for the proper working of any mines, but they do not come within the requirements of the law authorizing and defining the geological survey of Wisconsin. If it had been so, it would still have been prudent and proper to ascertain the extent of the mining ground as is now being done, by Mr. Strong, so that all portions of these ground may be equally benefitted.