York Point 1866 January
“Geological.”
Some interest has been awakened of late respecting the Geology of our island by the inquiry: Is there useable coal in our Island? As has been before stated, the coal bearing strata are around us. The question is do they extend beneath us? Let us inquire. Prince Edward Island sits amid her waves, like a ruby set in emerald. Around this is a land though a detached and broken one of the dingy and sable barred Coal Measures. Beyond this, rugged barren and broken, a border of primary rocks encompass the whole basin. Probably there was a time when the coal measures filled the whole area enclosed by their ring and the ruby rocks of Prince Edward Island which represent the New Red Sandstone, were superadded, like a jem placed on its setting. If this be so, the coal measures lie under us. There are places on Prince Edward Island where, by the upheaval of the rock, we have a section which extends 3,000 feet below the general surface. What is the nature of the beds at that depth? Do they look like approaching Carboniferous strata? They are rich in fossils, and these are of a highly carboniferous type. Huge auracaria, tall lepododendrona, calamites of various sizes and numerous species, trees allied to the sigelaria, numerous endogenous plants, and lovely never leaved ferns represent their flora. In some places these are preserved in pure coal.
Thus scientific reasoning and actual observation induce the belief that rich treasures of valuable coal are interred beneath our soil. Where is our enterprise that lets the treasure slumber undisturbed, when it might be the means of wealth to individuals and untold prosperity to our colony.
Example of PEI Strata (Source: Bain 1890 p. 11)
Real Time Farming 