The question of a fuel supply adequate for all purposes has a most important bearing on the development of a country. During the earlier stages of its history wood, when sufficiently abundant, answers for fuel, but with increased population and consequent demand for manufactures comes the necessity for a better combustible, such as is found among the fossil fuels stored up by natural agencies during the evolution of the earth.

These fossil fuels occur at many different horizons, but those of the Carboniferous or coal period proper are, taken as a whole, the best adapted for all purposes because they combine compactness with large proportionate heating power and ability to withstand transportation without serious loss. In many places, however, where coal deposits of this age are missing, others are found of more recent formation, which, under proper conditions, will more or less completely supply the lack.

Such is the case in Texas. The aggregate area which is underlaid by beds of fossil fuel is very large. In the northern central portion of the State the coals of the Carboniferous or Coal Measures occupy an area of several thousand square miles. In this area there are nine distinct seams of coal, two of which are of workable thickness and of good quality. A second, but as yet unexplored, basin of similar age occurs on the Rio Grande border in Presidio county. These are, however, somewhat distant from many localities at which are found ores and materials which would afford bases for great industrial development with proper fuel supply.

In the vicinity of Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande, there is a third basin "

Second Annual Report Geological Survey of Texas, p. 359, et seq.