No. 85.] 371 



populous counties, containing a substance thus fertile, entirely escaped 

 the attention of our State Geologists, in their survey of the State, 

 although that survey, at such vast expense, promised so much to the 

 agriculture of New-York. Northerly and easterly from the foot of 

 College hill is an excellent belt of land, a portion of which is better 

 adapted to grazing than grain, although there are many choice sec- 

 tions of plow lands. 



This may well be denominated the iron region, as there are exten- 

 sive beds of that ore in the towns of Verona, Westmoreland and Kirk- 

 land. The vein of ore in the two former towns lies nearly on alevel, 

 with a slight dip to the south and west ; that in Verona I believe lies 

 lower, although I have not the necessary information to state precisely. 

 All experience shows that land impregnated with iron receives very 

 little if any benefit from gypsum. It has been repeatedly tried with- 

 out any perceptible effect. In a few instances partial benefit has been 

 derived from its use on the driest gravelly ridges in this region. There 

 its benefits are most perceptible on pastures. 



These mines of iron have been extensively worked for about thirty- 

 five years, within and out of the county. One bed in Westmoreland 

 has sometimes furnished 2,000 tons in a year to furnaces in other 

 counties. The wood has now become so exhausted in the vicinity 

 that there is but little of it used, but it is still sent in large quantities 

 on our canals to more distant parts. I saw two boats at a time load- 

 ing with the Kirkland ore last fall. It is also believed that this iron 

 region failed to attract the keen optics of our State Geologists. 



Passing from this section, we fall on to the rich, gravelly, and allu- 

 vial, bottoms on our larger streams of water. Very little better land 

 can be found in the State, for all productions excepting wheat. It is 

 proper here to remark that very much of the land in this county ly- 

 ing lower than the ridge of red shale, is underlaid with a strong, 

 heavy subsoil. 



In conclusion, I would remark that the meetings of the farmers of 

 Oneida are attended with the most beneficial effects. At these meet- 

 ings the results of experiments are freely communicated, and their 

 benefits duly examined and considered. A general spirit of inquiry 

 prevails. Agricultural reading is sought after, particularly by our 

 young men, with an avidity unprecedented since the settlement of 

 the county. Although far behind what we should be, yet with the 

 present state of things, the course of agricultural improvement cannot 

 fail to be progressive and onward. 



Westmoreland, Dec. 1844.^ 



