1846.] Agricultural Geology of Onondaga County. 175 



derived from it. The composition of the soil, the analysis of 

 which has already been given, indicates a soil favorable for the 

 production of wheat. It is durable, and produces well for years. 

 It furnishes phosphate of alumina and carbonate of lime, and a 

 small quantity of carbonate of magnesia. For obtaining phos- 

 phate of alumina, the most approved plan was pursuexl. This 

 soil has not the advantages for showing its real value as those 

 situated upon the next terrace above; inasmuch as it is usually 

 low, and is not naturally so well drained, and it will undoubtedly 

 be found true, that the best thing which can be done for it is, to 

 drain it thoroughly. An excellemt fertilizing agent is usually in 

 proximity, namely, peat, which by forming a compost with leach- 

 ed ashes, would improve it in many respects. 



The soil of the green shales or gypseous rocks, belong strictly 

 to the same class. They are both natural wheat bearing soils. 

 They differ in color and tenacity; the latter, being of a light drab 

 and less tenaceous than the former, but it has still the body re- 

 quired for wheat, and probably for all purposes exceeds in value 

 any other soil in the state of New York. Analysis will show 

 the ground upon which this opinion rests. 50 grains yield, 



Water and vegetable matter, - 5.16 



Silex, - - , - - 36.54 



Carbonate of lime, - - - 2.^ 



Magnesia, - - - - 1.50 



Peroxide of iron and alumina, - 4.87 



Phosphate of alumina, - - 0.06 



49.61 



Two hundred grains when acted upon by cold water a few 

 days, gave of 



Soluble matter, - - - 1..34 

 Saline. - . . , ].00 



Vegetable, - - - - 0.34 



Another specimen, from the vicinity of the Green lakes, in 

 Manlius, gave of 



