A Mineral Resources Survey Project was conducted in Wilson County for the purpose of investigating occurrences of high alumina clays. Fifteen WPA laborers, under the supervision of the writer, were employed on the project. Since formations in the county are composed of relatively soft rocks (Gulf Coast Eocene), hand augering with 3-inch post augers was used to good advantage in searching for and outlining clay deposits.

The purpose of the project in Jasper County was to locate and map deposits of bentonite and fuller's earth, clays used extensively in the refining of petroleum and for rotary drilling muds. Bentonitic clays are also used in the manufacture of soaps, insecticides, cosmetics, polishes, adhesives, ceramic glazes, absorbents, and in road, roofing, and floor materials.

Limestone outcrops around the Palestine salt dome afford a source of this rock in a part of the State in which large deposits of this material are otherwise lacking. The rock occurs as brecciated blocks of Cretaceous chalks and limestones which have been brought to the surface from a depth of several thousand feet by the Palestine salt dome uplift.

A geologic map and a bulletin describing the geology and mineral deposits of Gillespie County, Texas, is being prepared. Awaiting completion of this map and bulletin, abbreviated mimeographed circulars describing the more important mineral deposits will be issued.

The purpose of this report is to give results of investigations made in Polk and adjoining counties. Rice sand located on property owned by the Eden-Birch Lumber Company, approximately 1.5 miles west of Carmona, northern Polk County, and other deposits in Polk, Trinity, Tyler, and Walker Counties were examined. Volcanic ash, bentonitic clays, and artesian water were encountered while mapping the Eden-Birch locality, and a brief discussion of each of these is also included in the report.