88 



It is a matter of surprise to the traveller, that, along this whole 

 range, where the sparry limestone is so accessible, and where 

 wood is comparatively cheap, so very little has been done by the 

 inhabitants of the region, in manufacturing lime, either for trans- 

 portation to the ready market of New York, or for home con- 

 sumption, as a fertilizing agent of inestimable value to the soil. 

 Over the whole of the Kittatinny Valley and its branches, in New 

 Jersey, the importance of lime in agriculture has hitherto been 

 singularly overlooked. Along the Musconetcong and German 

 valleys, the practice of limeing has of late years become a com- 

 mon one; but throughout a large part of Sussex and Warren 

 counties, where the circumstances are especially favourable for its 

 general introduction, it remains but little attended it. The exam- 

 ple of the southeastern counties of Pennsylvania should convince 

 the people of New Jersey, that, upon nearly all soils, whether they 

 lie immediately over the limestone rock itself, or over the slate, or 

 belong to the sandstone and primary rocks of the hills, or to the 

 deep loams of the river flats, the application of lime properly 

 managed leads to sure and permanent benefit. 



The magnesian character of some of the white crystalline lime- 

 stone deserves attention, as it is probable that the rock will pro- 

 duce a hydraulic cement. Should the question of the compara- 

 tive inertness or efficiency of magnesia in agriculture be definitely 

 settled, it may be of importance on this account to know its com- 

 position. 



By analysis, I find that the white irregularly crystalline, or 

 somewhat granular kind, which abounds near Sparta, and be- 

 tween that place and Lockwood, and which is so apt to contain 

 insulated crystals of Brucite, is decidedly magnesian, as the fol- 

 lowing results will show. 



Analysis of the White Granular Limestone of Sparta, Sussex county. 



Description. — White, opaque, coarsely crystalline, or saccha- 

 roidal, containing crystals of Brucite and graphite. 



Composition. — In 100 parts: 



Carbonate of lime, - 82.85 



Carbonate of magnesia, - 15.15 

 Silica, Alumina, Oxide of iron, 2.00 



100.00 



