364 Report on a re-examination of the 
Talcose slate soil; 9. Gneiss soil, common, do. ferruginous; 10. 
Granite soil; 11. Sienite soil; 12. Porphyry soil; 13. Green- 
stone soil. 
The principal deposites of the 2d variety of soil occur in the 
valley of the Connecticut river, and in the counties of Plymouth, 
Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket. ‘‘ The surface on these 
places is usually covered with a white or yellowish silicious 
sand, which forms one variety of these soils. Where the sand is 
washed away, a deposite of clay is exposed, white, or whitish 
in the southeastern part of the state, but bluish on Connecticut 
river. This is the other variety of tertiary soils. Either of them 
in a pure state, is exceedingly barren ; but duly mixed, they form 
a very productive soil.” (p. 10.) 
The limestone soil is confined to the county of Berkshire. It 
is thus denominated because it contains more of the salts of lime 
than any of the other soils of the state, although the calcareous 
earth even in the limestone soil, is by no means abundant, it hav- 
ing, in the opinion of Prof. H., been partially withdrawn by cul- 
tivation. 
The specimens of soil for analysis were taken in nearly every 
instance from cultivated ploughed fields, and when practicable, 
from land which had been long enough under cultivation to cause 
the decay of all coarse vegetable fibres. Care was observed to 
avoid on the one hand, rich soil situated near to houses, and on 
the other, worn out and neglected fields. The samples were 
obtained at a depth of three or four inches below the surface ; 
and in the selection, roots, undecayed manure, and large pebbles 
were rejected. After having been previously spread for several 
days upon boards, during the dry days of October, they were 
transferred to tin canisters. A portion of each specimen was 
withdrawn for analysis, and the remainder was enclosed in @ 
glass bottle, which is intended for preservation in the State col- 
lection. One hundred and twenty such bottles were collected, 
besides fifty others, containing marls, clays, muck-sand, marsh- 
mud, ochres, &c. 
In proceeding to the analysis of these numerous specimens, 
Prof. H. remarks, that the objects were, ‘ first, to ascertain the na- 
ture and amount of the earths that form the basis of the soils. 
Secondly, the nature and amount of the salts that act as stim= 
ulants to vegetation; and thirdly, to determine the amount 
