Marl Beds In Superior

Francis M. Jackson, who lives on section 12, in Superior township, brought to the Argus some fine specimens of marl taken from his farm the other day. It is found in the basin of a small lake and the bed contains some 25 acres. The marl deposit he thinks from careful examination by thrusting a pole down into it is fully 2 feet deep. In places it is right on the surface and at others there is a considerable leaf mold deposit over it. But a short distance away is another similar deposit. There is some water in the lake basin yet, probably about a half acre. The marl appears to be of a fine grade, there seeming to be very little foreign matter in it.

The deposit is located within about a half mile of the Free Church on the Cherry Hill road and is close by the route of a projected electric road through that section. Mr. Jackson says several persons interested in marl as an ingredient in the manufacture of Portland Cement have been to examine the deposit but nothing has as yet come of these investigations. He feels, however, that it is only a question of time when it will be valuable. The quantity is probably scarcely large enough to warrant working at present at least. According to State Geologist Lane, a deposit of less than 100 acres of marl is not worth investigating for purposes of cement manufacture, unless it be a very fine quality and favorably situated as to railroad facilities and near to clay of the proper kind for making cement. There is a large amount of marl throughout Washtenaw county but the clay is said, by those supposed to know, not to be of a proper quality. Prof. Campbell, of the university, who is making thorough study of marl and clay in their relation to cement manufacture thinks the clay found in the county is of poor quality for this purpose. David J. Hale who has charge of the investigations of the marl deposits of the state under Dr. Lane says:

"In some places manufacturers estimate one and one-half cubic yards of marl to a barrel of cement, which will sell for about $1.50 per barrel at the factory, and nearly half of this sum is profit. The area and depth of the bed should be estimated, also the quality of and distribution of marl carefully judged and typical average samples of mail and neighboring clay should be sent to a good chemist for analysis in order to determine the value of the deposit. If this is done by a marl specialists who can correctly judge the variations in the deposits a good idea can be formed of the value of the beds. A few samples selected haphazard are liable to give an erroneous idea of the worth of the deposit."