Box 4, Folder 5: Miscellaneous Typewritten Letters

Chapter XXV 1874.

1873-74.

On the Relation of The Wisconsin Geological Survey to Agriculture.

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For Trans. Wis. Agr. Soc.--1873 & 1874.

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By I.A. Lapham, Chief Geologist.

The law providing for a geological survey of the state of Wisconsin includes also, and very properly, provision for some work for the special interest of agriculture, it being generally known and admitted that these two subjects are so intimately related that whatever is done to increase our knowledge of the local and special geology of any district, tends at the same time to promote the interest of the farmer cultivating land in the same district. The underlying rocks are examined as to their chemical composition and surface arrangement--or geographical extent--they are the sources from whence is derived the very soil into which the farmer usually entrusts his seed. Their dip, order of succession, depth beneath the surface, their porous or impervious nature are investigated--these are the data for deciding about Artesian or other wells, often the only resource for a permanent supply of water for farm purposes; and as the forests become reduced in extent, the necessity for such wells will be gradually increased.

The Drift phenomena, gleaned from a study of the loose materials covering and concealing the more solid rocks, left here by glaciers of the Ice period, the study of which is so interesting to the practical and speculative geologist--they have been the means of diffusing and spreading the soil over the rocky surface, commingling and mixing the various clays, sands, and pebbles de

1873-74.

rived from the disintegration of the rocks, in such a manner as to render them best suited for the growth of vegetation. The mineral and other native resources are discovered and made known,--they are the materials for various manufactories, and their development creates a home market--the best of all markets--for farm products, thus deciding the great question now so much agitated relating to cheap transportation, by avoiding the necessity of any transportation of these products.

The barometrical measurements of the heights and depressions, required by the survey, will show in many cases the sources of water supply upon which we are dependent for this life-giving element. These are taken as data in the topographical survey, which is to show the general contour of the ground, the extent, elevation and slope of drainage basins or river valleys, the amount and value of water power afforded by these rivers, the proportion of timber; open and prairie land, the upland, the swamps and marshes. All such detailed information is of importance to various interests, and especially to the agriculturalist. | The geodetic survey, which it is hoped may, through the instrumentality of the geological survey, be extended into Wisconsin by the general government, will also aid in the development of the topographical features of the state, and will show with greater accuracy the exact position of the principal lines of the government land survey, from which are derived and established the boundaries of farm lands, thus often preventing litigation and neighborhood quarrels. It is made the further duty of the survey to search for and properly examine all mineral fertilizers that may exist in the state, to analyze the clays, peats, marls, and other natural products, useful either in maintaining the richness of the soil, or in re

1873-74.

storing it when exhausted by the injudicious management of ignorant and selfish men. The soil and sub-soil are to be made subjects of study, and observations are to be made on the animal and vegetable products with reference to their agricultural interests. Specimens are to be collected, illustrating and exemplifying the geology of the state, which are to be deposited with the various institutions of education, from which the youth of our state may hereafter acquire that definite knowledge of our local geology, that will enable them to prosecute their future labors in farming with greater advantage both to themselves and to the country.

It is now very generally admitted that the chemical analysis of soils does to all the beneficial results that were formerly anticipated from this source. The healthy growth of farm crops is dependent upon too many varying conditions, besides the mere quantity of plant food that may exist in the soil, to enable the chemist to detect the cause of any given failure by soil analysis. It was once supposed that we had only to analyze the soil before and after a crop had been taken from it, to detect the substances that had been extracted, and thus indicate what should be artificially supplied to stimulate the growth of the next crop, but such is the minuteness of the quantity of plant food compared with the mass of the soil that chemical science has not yet, except to a limited extent, been able to accomplish this task. Consequently no general effort will be made to analyze the soils of the state, but if any are found that from any special peculiarity, or other reason seem to require it, such analysis will be made.

Geology is now very properly included among the studies to be pursued in agricultural colleges with a view to its special

1873-74.

advantage in the proper cultivation of the soil,--a cultivation which shall, without the least diminution of its annual product, perpetually maintain its fertility. Every farmer should know whether his land is under laid by rocks whose disintegration is beneficial or otherwise, whether these rocks are of the granitic kinds, or whether they consist of sandstone, limestone, or shales. He should also be able to determine the nature of the pebbles, large and small, abounding in his fields, the gradual decay of which from year to year by reason of exposure to weather changes, frost, rain, sunlight and alternate exposure to heat and cold,--will add useful or useless, or even deleterious qualities to the soil.

Limestone pebbles especially by their gradual disintegration are of the greatest value, by restoring fertilizing substances to the soil that would otherwise soon be exhausted by continual cropping. If these pebbles are of such quality as to be thus beneficial, the land possesses additional value, if otherwise, a larger annual expense for fertilizers will be required. The system of farm management suited to the one case would require modification for the other. Hence it is sufficiently apparent that some knowledge of geology is quite essential to the intelligent farmer, and that it is wise to include it in a course of study to be pursued in our agricultural colleges.

The several reports to be made to the Governor annually in January, though chiefly intended to make known the progress and results of each years work will be found to contain much that is of interest and value to the farmer. The publication and general distribution of reports of geological surveys, always prove beneficial by calling public attention in an official and reliable manner to the resources and advantages of the district surveyed, for the agricultural, manufacturing, and other interests.

1874.

Jan'y 5. Went to Madison to present to the Governor my first annual Geological Report.

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New Brunswick, N.J., Jan'y 22, 1874.

I.A. Lapham, Esq.

My dear Sir--

While in the office of my friend Mr. Been of New York a day or two since, I learned that you had been placed at the head of the Geological Survey of Wisconsin. It is a source of pleasure to me to know the fact, for I consider it to be of importance to the state, and I am confident that you can and will carry the work forward successfully.***

Yours respectfully,

George H. Cook, State Geologist, N.J.

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Feb'y 2. Left Milwaukee 1 1-2 P.M. for a trip south with my daughter Julia. Saw on the train Oliver K. Lapham of N.Y. and Mrs. Lapham and son, wife of A.B. Lapham, Chicago,--relatives of Mrs. Peabody of Milwaukee.

Feb'y 3. Chicago to Indianapolis.

Feb'y 5. Indianapolis to Louisville. Dined with Dr. J. Lawrence Smith. 1/200 part of a grain as small as can usually be weighed in chemical analysis, according to Dr. Smith.

Feb'y 6. Remained at Louisville. Drove in the rain to Shippingsport &c. Went to the old house where we lived in 1828, where my sister Amelia was born. Visited many of my old tramping grounds.

Feb'y 7. Louisville to Nashville. Stopped at the Maxwell House over Sunday. Drove around town. Went to the White Sulphur Springs.

Feb. 9. Nashville to Chattanooga. Hoar [hard?] frost this morning. Stopped at the Reade House.

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