AMO FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT.
excavating at a minimum expense. It is true that the development of the peat industry has progressed slowly, especially in America where other fuels are abundant. In Florida the chief fuel supply originally was wood. At the present time, however, wood, except to those living in the country, is becoming an expensive fuel, and must become more and more expensive in the future. Coal i ,s, not f ound in the State, and must be imported f or f uel f rom the coal-producing states, involving heavy freight charges. As a fuel, peat must ultimately become of value. Nor should the possibility of the use of peat as a source of power be overlooked. The pre vailing general flatness of the country, while advantageous for agricultural purposes, has deprived. the state of the large water power vouchsafed to the more mountainous states, and it is to be hoped that ultimately the peat deposits may be made to supply the power that nature has otherwise failed to afford the State. In view of these and the various other purposes mentioned in the report for which peat is or may be used, it is evident that the peat deposits must in time become a valuable resource to the State.
E. H. SELLARDS.,
State Geologist.