PREFACE. 



The preceding sentiments have been offered, in consequence of the agitation of 

 the sul)ject in the recent anniversary meetings of the agricultural societies. The 

 subject, too, is intimately connected with the late geological survey of the State, 

 by means of which, the munificence of the Legislature has secured an ample and 

 complete collection of specimens of the various kinds of rocks and minerals 

 which compose the materials of our soils, or are found beneath the surface : 

 these specimens are arranged in a cabinet, according to their position in nature ; 

 so that they may now be made to serve the interests of agriculture, especially 

 should an institution be established on a proper basis. Submitting these views, I 

 proceed to make a few explanatory remarks in relation to the following rejiort. 



The survey commenced in the summer of 183G, and closed in January, 1842. 

 The State was divided into four districts, in areas of nearly equal extent, but 

 without regard to geological structure. The district which was assigned to the 

 author of this Report, included the seven northern counties, with an aggregate 

 area of ten thousand square miles. A very large proportion of this surface is 

 uncultivated, and covered with forests of a dense growth. The conditions under 

 which the survey has been executed were therefore unfavorable in more respects 

 than one. 



When the survey commenced, the northern district had received very little 

 attention, except in mineralogy. Several gentlemen who resided in those rich 

 mineral fields, had at that period acquired an extensive knowledge of the loca- 

 lities around them ; but no one had determined the relations of the rocks, or 

 made anv discriminations even in the classes to which they belong. In the pro- 

 secution of the work, the following objects have engaged my attention : 



1. The determination of the rocks ; their order of succession, superposition 

 and extent. 



2. Their mineral associates ; the veins and beds of minerals, whether metallic 

 or non-metallic ; and the conditions under which they exist. 



3. To ascertain the existence of beds of marl, peat, lime, and all the materials 

 used in as^riculture or construction. 



4. It was my duty to collect eight sets or suits of specimens of each important 

 production, and transmit them to Albany. 



5. To collect facts and material for the construction of a geological map. 



6. To describe the rocks, and arrange them scientifically. 



In addition to the above objects, I have devoted some time to the topography 

 of the Second District. I have ascended and measured most of the higher 



