120 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



rotted, and the rest very tender, I should like to know the value of rot- 

 ten leather for manure, and the best method to rot it.. 



Prof. Mapes. — I propose that we discuss the several subjects mentioned 

 in these letters read by Mr, Eobinson, at our next meeting. 



RENOVATING WORN OUT LANDS CALLED BARREN. 



This subject was called up, and the hour devoted to the regular questions,, 

 of which it was one, was- mainly devoted to showircg that Long Island 

 lands are not naturally barren. 



Prof. Nash. — I have a few words to say upon the Loag Island lands. It 

 has been stated and denied that the land is loam,, and not sand or gravel, 

 I have lately spent some days in examination of this soil, and find that 

 statement correct, and that it is beautifully adapted to garden culture, 

 and capable of producing various crops most profitable to the cultivator. 

 This loam has produced and is able to produce $400 to the acre in straw- 

 berries, I wish the slanders that have been spoken against the lands of 

 Long Island could be counteracted and their value better known and made 

 useful to the world. Although not as rich as prairie soil, it is well worthy 

 of the attention of small farmers and men in search of lands for homes. 

 Such homes can be made upon the wild lands of Long Island as well, to* 

 say the least, as in the west. 



Dr. Peck. — The hinds lying upon Long Island do not need renovating — 

 they only need cultivation. The whole center of the island is a natural 

 clover field. There is scarely an acre that will not produce strawberries as 

 well as the patch spoken of by Mr. Nash. 



S. Williams, of Seneca county, said he wished barely to corroborate all 

 that Professor Nash and Dr. Peck have said about those lands, which he 

 had seen for the first time within a few days, I find it a natural clover 

 region, and one of the best natural grass regions I know of; not excepting 

 my native place, Newport, Rhode Island. 



In answer to R. G. Pardee, Mr. Williams said : The best means of reno- 

 vating our land in Seneca county, are draining and plowing in clover. 

 There is no danger of manure leaching away in drains. If you can keep 

 manure from going up, you may let it go down as much as it will. The 

 water will always run clear from the tile drains. So says John Jonhson, 

 of our county. 



T. W. Field. — The land of Long Island is very variable in its character. 

 A striking geological feature is that the valleys running north and south 

 are measurably barren j the hills are the richest. Large tracts can be 

 obtained all over the island, at low rates, containing all the good land 

 desired. The land needs more capital to begin with, but will prove more 

 productive than some of the black lands. It can all be manured within 

 itself by clover, the best method of renovating all soil. One man who 

 Boattered the gravel from a railroad cut over his farm to get rid of it, found 

 his farm improved by it. 



Dr. Peck. — Upon just such land as has been called barren, fifty-four 



