XVI AN ADDRESS, &C 



the particulars will be inserted in the next volume of the 

 memoirs of our Society: I shall therefore merely state in 

 addition, that as there is reason to believe peat of a similar 

 nature to that of the Dutch, abounds in the marshes of our 

 extensive coast, and on the borders of the brackish rivers 

 and creeks of the United States, the farmers in the vicinity 

 of them would do well to search for it, and to make the ex- 

 periment with its ashes, on the crops just mentioned. It 

 may happen that they will prove a substitute on their soils 

 for that invaluable inland manure gypsum, which it is well 

 known produces not the least effect as far as the influence 

 of the sea air extends.* 



I state with pleasure that I have received information 

 from a correspondent in Maryland, of the discovery of large 

 beds of alluvial deposits, in Kent and Queen Anne Counties, 

 similar to some of those found in various parts of west New- 

 Jersey, the utility of which as a manure in the sandy or 

 light soils of that district you all know has been found, 

 when cautiously used, to be very great; and I have no doubt 

 that future researches in the peninsula, between the Dela- 

 ware and Chesapeak, and indeed in every part of the tract 

 constituting the ancient sea coast of our country, will disco- 

 ver similar deposits. The fertilizing properties of those 

 substances cannot fail of proving highly benefieial to the 

 land in their vicinity; but I must caution those within whose 

 reach they are. not to depend entirely upon them for restor- 

 ing the exhausted state of the soil; for although indepen- 

 dently of the good effects known to be derived from the 

 mere circumstance of the stimulus given to plants by the new 

 earth in which they grow; considerable advantage will fol- 

 low the decomposition of sea shells and other animal re- 

 mains with which they are mixed; yet if successive and 

 exhausting crops are taken from land dressed with the 

 new substances; if part of the increased produce be n©t 



* See Appendix F,. 



