J86 [Senate 



in the cultivation of their farms, and in the improvement of the do- 

 mestic animals of the county, deserve honorable mention. The in- 

 fluence of such men is widely felt, and they have their reward in the 

 pleasure which agricultural improvements are sure to produce in the 

 minds of the patriotic and the intelligent. 



AGRICULTURE OF QUEENS COUNTY. 



BY ALBERT G. CARLL, JERICHO. 



Queens county was first settled about the year 1640, and its inha- 

 bitants are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. 



Great improvements have been made within a few years by the 

 introduction of new and valuable seeds, and by the experience and 

 experiments of those w^ho are willing to improve, and whose results 

 are now so generally diffused by agricultural publications. Most 

 were in the habit of drawing from the earth all they could, without 

 giving any thing in return, until the soil became exhausted, and the 

 crop was hardly worth the labor bestowed. But all now understand 

 that as they put on, so will they take off; and great attention is paid, 

 to manuring and renovating the soil, and it is looked upon by intel- 

 ligent farmers as one of the most important questions that affects 

 them. 



The " well enough" spirit has existed among our farmers, and 

 prevented improvements being made here as fast as in many other 

 parts, but it is fast giving way to a more liberal and enlightened spi- 

 rit. 



The present condition of our agriculture may be considered favor- 

 able, and while it reflects credit upon our farmers, gives an earnest 

 that the errors which are only sanctioned by time, will soon be cor- 

 rected by the intelligent spirit of inquiry and experiment. 



The aspect of the county is generally even; while upon the north, 

 bordering upon Long Island Sound, there are gentle hills and dales, giv- 

 ing agreeable variety to the scenery, and making beautiful and pleasant 

 locations, there is but very little that is so rough as to be difficult of 

 cultivation. 



There is a ridge of hills passing east and west through the county, 

 and south of that the country is perfectly level, entirely clear of even 

 small stones, and some 20,000 acres of it without a tree upon it. 

 The opinion is that it was once covered by the sea. 



Upon the north and south sides of the county are numerous streams, 

 flowing into the bays and harbors; and except that part south of the 

 line of hills, and a little north of the extreme south side, it is well 

 supplied with natural springs. Upon this plain water is only ob- 

 tained by wells, at a depth of 60 feet or more, being about level with 

 the tide water. 



The highest land in the county is the " Harbor Hill," at Hemp- 

 stead harbor, 319 feet above tide water. 



