Ohio  possesses  in  abundance  the  important  minerals  of  coal  and  iron.  The
bituminous  coal  region  commences  at  the  Ohio  River,  and  extends  in  a  belt,
between  the  Scioto  and  Muskingum  Rivers,  nearly  to  Lake  Erie.  Great  quan-
tities of  iron  ore  are  found  in  the  same  section  in  a  bed  about  100  miles  long
by  12  wide,  said  to  be  superior  to  any  other  in  the  United  States  for  the  finer
castings.  Salt  springs  are  frequent  and  very  valuable.  Marble  and  free-
stone, well  adapted  for  building  purposes,  abound.  Almost  all  parts  are  suit-
able for  agricultural  purposes,  and  the  state  ranks  among  the  first  in  the  pro-
ducts of  the  soil.  Indian  corn  is  the  staple  production.  Large  crops  of
wheat,  great  quantities  of  pork,  butter,  cheese  and  wool  are  annually  pro-
duced. The  grain  crops  of  Ohio  are  very  large ;  the  estimate  for  1860,  a
iaTorable  year,  was:  Indian  corn,  80  millions  of  bushels;  wheat,  30  millions;
asd  oats,  20  millions.  It  is  estimated  that  the  whole  state  has  the  natural
capacity  to  feed  18  millions  of  people.  Population  in  1800  was  45,365;  in
1820,  581,434;  in  1850,  1,980,408,  and  in  1860,  2,377,917.
Marietta,  the  capital  of  Washington  county,* and  oldest  town  in  the  state,
is  beaotifully  situated  on  the  left  or  east  bank  of  the  Muskingum,  at  its  con-
fluence with  the  Ohio,  104  miles  south-east  of  Columbus,  62  below  Wheelings
Va.,  and  300,  by  the  river,  above  Cincinnati.  It  is  built  principally  on  level
grouod,  surrounded  by  beautiful  scenery.  Many  of  the  houses  are  con-
ttructed  with  great  neatness,  having  fine  gardens,  and  oruameut&V  Ue^  ^lA


HO  0'"0.
