MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 41

THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION.

Special forms have been prepared by the Survey which are sub-
mitted to the proprietors of each industry in the state that has to do
with the natural resources. Questions are asked in these forms
regarding the amount and value of the materials produced, in order
that a complete tabulated statement may be prepared from time to
time showing the development of the various industries. This infor-
mation, which is intended for incorporation in the economic reports
of the survey, will be held strictly confidential, so far as it relates
to the private business of any company or individual, but will be
used in making up the state and county totals. If only one or two
plants are found in a single county the returns will be grouped so
that there can be no possible disclosure of the private affairs of any
industry. Such information is annually sought by the U. S. Geo-
logical Survey for publication in the " Mineral Industries of the
United States, " and it is desirable that the industries of Maryland
should be adequately represented. Many private individuals also
desire to know the actual commercial value of our economic products,
and complete records of this data should always be available. Further-
more such information is valuable to our own citizens in showing the
status of those enterprises which are based upon our mineral wealth.
The State Survey particularly requests the co-operation of the various
industries of the state in order that the best possible showing may be
made annually of our products.

THE PREPARATION OF FINAL REPORTS.

After all the investigations outlined in the previous pages have
been made, it will then be possible to publish a final and general
report concerning the physical features of Maryland, in which the
physiography, geology and mineral resources will be comprehensively
treated. Such a statement regarding our natural wealth, in which
constant references shall be given to the special reports earlier pub-
lished, will be of inestimable value in presenting both to our own
citizens and those of other portions of the country not only the de-
veloped but the undeveloped wealth in the rocks of the state, while