1847.] Culture of Sanfoin. 327 



and at the head of the gulf. Several others of less note occur in 

 the county. From the occurrence of these in rocks which are 

 known to contain iron pyrites, we may infer that these mineral 

 waters are derived from the decomposition of that mineral. 



If to the recent products above enumerated, we add sulphate of 

 iron and alym, which frequently occur in efflorescences on the 

 edges of the strata of Utica slate, and which might possibly be 

 turned to a profitable account, we shall have completed an account 

 of the minerals of the county hitherto observed. 



In conclusion, it might be added that there are few districts 

 more worthy of study than this, as well on account of the full de- 

 velopment of the lower rocks of the New York system, (with the 

 exception of two or three members,) as the proximity of the dif- 

 ferent formations. The channel of Roaring brook, in the course 

 of eight miles, furnishes sections of as many different rocks, from 

 the primitive to the gray sandstone inclusive, being the entire 

 Champlain division (with one exception,) as it is developed in this 

 portion of the State. 



Perhaps there is no line of equal length in the State that fur- 

 nishes so fine an opportunity for studying so many formations as 

 this, while the grandeur of the scenery along its course is well 

 worthy of a visit even by those who derive no pleasure from the 

 study of geological phenomena. 



CULTURE OF SANFOIN. 



BY W. H. SOTHAM. 



I have long promised to write you an article on the culture of 

 Sanfoin, but my head has been pressed by other matters that I 

 have not been able to do so. I consider this plant amongst the 

 most useful of grasses, more especially on light soils, such as stone 

 brash, gravel, sand, or light loam. The land must be perfectly 

 free from couch, (or what is generally termed quack in this coun- 

 try,) and in a good state of cultivation. It is generally sown with 

 barley, as such soils are adapted for that kind of grain, and I think 

 grass seeds of any sort will do better sown with it than any other. 



Care must be taken to keep cattle and sheep off it, the season 

 the barley is cut from it; probably it would be safer not to let 

 any thing on it the first season. Mow it the following year, and 

 then put sheep upon it until the frosty nights appear. 



This plant reaches a long way into the ground, and brings the 

 vegetable matter to the surface; the roots have been traced four 

 feet below the surface, and the upper roots are much larger than 



