362 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



thus giving to the sides, or perpendicular surfaces of the slabs, 

 or blocks, as they lie in the quarry, a trapezoidal form. The 

 texture of this rock is compact and solid, very little decomposition 

 being exhibited from the effects of long- exposure to the weather. 

 As yet no particular use has been made of this rock, but from its 

 proximity to the road — the ease with which it maybe quarried — its 

 location in the vicinity of a thrifty, growing village, like Patten, it 

 cannot fail to be soon brought into practical use as a building 

 material, or for posts and sleepers for fences or other fixtures. 



Ifineral Spring. 



We were informed by Mr. Smith, that about a mile from this 

 ledge there is a mineral spring, which, from his account, I think 

 must be of a chalybeate character, and probably well charged with 

 iron, judging from the abundant deposit which is made from its 

 waters. We had not time to visit it then, and make a note of it 

 now to call attention to the fact of its existence, that it may form 

 the subject of future examination should circumstances allow. 



Horsebacks. 



After passing through No. 5 we come upon the supply road 

 which leads from the settlement to Grand lake, and thence to 

 Chamberlain lake, and the settlers become more scarce and the 

 road more rough as you progress. After passing Mr. Rich's 

 clearing, you find no more clearings or settlers for several miles, 

 until you come to Shin Pond. Here we found a young man by the 

 name of Crommet, who had made a large clearing and was busily 

 engaged in getting in his crops. We found no rocks in place here. 

 A boulder or two of hornstone, made up the amount of geological 

 indications. After passing a few miles beyond this locality you 

 find the growth indicating a change of quality in the soil. It 

 becomes thinner and of a more gravelly character, and you soon 

 find the road passing along on one of those singular formations 

 called in common parlance "horsebacks." 



These horsebacks arrested your attention last year, and were 

 the subject of remark in your report. They are probably more 

 abundant and more varied, as it regards direction and extent, in 

 Maine, than in any other part of New England. I leave it to you 

 to search out the cause and theory of their formation. 



They are certainly deserving special attention and research, and 



