m 



AMERICAN 



QUARTERLY JOURNAL 



AGRICULTURE AND SCIENCE. 



Vol. II. No. 2. 



AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY. 



■>.- 



On the agrictdtural adaptations of that portion of the Taconic Region 

 which comprises the Counties of Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer 

 and Washington in the State of JVew- York, and Berkshire in the 

 State of Massachusetts. 



The adaptation of certain belts or sections of country for particular 

 products, is one of the first subjects to which agriculturalists ought 

 to direct their study. As yet it has received but little attention, and 

 that little has been bestowed in so vague a manner that the data 

 hitherto collected are insufficient to found a sure basis of agricultural 

 practice. We hear, for instance, of a wheat-growing region ; of a 

 grazing country : but the reason why they are particularly adapted 

 to these ends is imperfectly understood. If the inquiry is put to the 

 farmer, Why certain parts of the western country produce wheat ? 

 he would be puzzled to return an answer, and perhaps would be 

 obliged to state the simpL fact that the land is found by ample 

 experience to yield good crops of this grain. And again, if the in- 

 quiry should be varied and put into this form. Why cannot wheat 

 be raised in a certain other section of country ? the answer would 

 probably be similar to the preceding, or simply an appeal to expe- 

 rience. It is true, that in some cases, a particular cause may operate 



VOL. II. — NO. II. A 



I 



