370 Analysis of Soils: 
probably awaiting the re-appearance of their tormentor ata 
enemy. Our engagements did not permit us to wait to see 
the issue of this affair, which seems to have been similar to 
that observed by Mr. Nash. EDITOR. 
IV. Anatysis oF Sorts. To the Editor.—It is my mis- 
fortune to differ widely in opinion, on analysis of soils; from 
ose great men, whose opinions are received as oracles by 
the learned worlds You will please to indulge me in pre- 
senting my views on this subject for examination, as the for- 
mulz usually presented by authors, are, in my view, founded 
an mistake, and are calculated to mislead the agriculturist. 
Most soils contain more than sixty per eent. of stones; peb- 
bles and sand, which will settle from a state of suspension in 
water, in less time than three minutes. Even the clay soils, 
as they are called, contain about fifty per cent. Dr. Beck 
and myself analyzed specimens of soil taken from one hun- 
dred and fifty farms in the manor of the Hon. Stephen Van 
Rensselaer, and obtained results as before stated, in almost 
es ; » at some future period, as to become 
an impalpable powder, perhaps they may then differ in their 
influence upon vegetation. Perhaps we may foretel the fu- 
ture state of the soil, a century or two to come, where such 
extreme disintegration is effected. But the difference in the 
ultimate constituents cannot possibly affect the question of fer- . 
ity or barrenness, at the time the analysis is made 
whatever effect can be ascribable to the one, is equally a pro- 
perty of the other. They all hold water on their surfaces 
by the attraction of adhesion ; they all keep the soil duly open 
er tha their constituent elements, agreeing. 
ing to the usual analyzing formule, the results 
) and this would i the agricul= 
