No. 112.] 777 



at the upper works, in connection Tvitli the furnace just com- 

 pleted. This fact affords striking evidence of the formation (f the 

 country. An excellent water communication is created by this 

 improvement between the upper and lower works. At tach ex- 

 tremity of the navigation, wharves, cranes, and every other ai-pli- 

 ance, are already constructed to lacilitate the transportation of 

 heavy commodities. A survey has established the existence of a 

 practicable and cheap route for either a railroad or a plank road, 

 from the lower works to the Schroon valley, a distance of only 

 eighteen miles. The wants of an industrious community, and the 

 exigencies of general business, must secure the consti'uction of a 

 railroad through that valley to the Hudson. When this most de- 

 sirable project is accomplished, tlie furnaces and ore beds of the 

 Adirondac district, will be separated by a land transportation of 

 only eighteen miles from New-Y<'rk. Private enterprize will soon 

 surmount that slight impediment to a continuous communication. 

 Few will anticipate the exposition, which the agricultural section 

 of this report will present, of the progress in husbandry that has 

 been already attained in the Adirondac territory, or the favorable 

 nature of its soil and climate to cultivation. 



The lofty group of mountains which occupy this region are 

 formed almost exclusively of the h}perstene rock, which has been 

 rendered somewhat familiar to the scientific world by the reports 

 of the State Geologists. This rock in different proportions, is dif- 

 fused through almost every section of the county. The minertil 

 hyperstene from which it derives its name, is incorporated in it, 

 in very minute quantities, whilst the " labradorite *' or " o}»ales- 

 cent felspar" constitutes its most ccispicuous element Although 

 essentially granite, the hyperstene does not exhibit tlie ordinary 

 appearance of that rock. Its color as revealed in the quarry is a 

 smoky grt-y. In some quarries it is lighter, and in others it pre 

 seats a strong green tinge, which forms a predominant shade. On 

 the surface this rock is seamy, to so great a degree as to present 

 almost an appearance of stratification ; deeper in the (luarry it is 

 tlirown out in large and firm blocks. Its beauty is greatly en- 

 hance<l when lines of lighter color occur, by which it is traversed. 

 Experiments have been succesfully made in sawing and poli>hing 

 slai^s from this rock. If it yields blocks sufficiently lirm and con- 



