CONCLUSION. 



The first volume relating to the agriculture of New- York treats of the soils and the 

 constitution of the rocks, and their relations to each other. It was designed to prepare the 

 way for the present volume. Although it is perhaps as full as could be expected, still much 

 at this time might be done to improve it and render it more useful, or at least better adapted 

 to the wants of farmers. 



The statistics of agriculture are mostly omitted; and when introduced, it was for the 

 purpose of comparing premium crops grown upon different soils, and in different parts of 

 the State. This volume contains too much, perhaps, which relates to geology proper, but 

 which was introduced for the purpose of giving an epitome of what was known upon the 

 subject, this information being spread over the four volumes prepared by the gentlemen 

 who had charge of this department of the Survey. 



In the part relating mostly to geology, I introduced an extended account of the Taconic 

 System. I felt justified in this course, for the reason that in this State these rocks present 

 a highly important feature in its geology. It is not an inconsiderable part of the State 

 over which these rocks prevail, and hence as a geological fact the existence of this system 

 could not be passed over by one who was well satisfied as to his position ; and although 

 this position might be discredited, and a reputation for sagacity might be hazarded by a 

 committal as to the fact, still I should not have felt justified in the mere statement of a 

 conjecture or possibility. It is, however, proper to state, for the benefit of those persons 

 who are unacquainted with the controversy upon this subject, that geologists are still divided 

 upon the fact. Among those who have been the most strenuous in opposition to it, is 

 my colleague Mr. James Hall ; as he has made it the subject of remark in his volume of 

 Palaeontology, and has opposed the views which I maintained in the volume referred to, 

 on the ground that the fossils which I there described were those which are common to 

 (he Hudson-river group, I deem it a duty I owe to myself to say that a committee of the 

 American Association of Geologists and Naturalists has reported adversely to Mr. Hall's 

 position. This removes thus far the supposed or theoretical objections to my views, and 

 favors the position I had taken as it regards the reality of this ancient system of sedimentary 

 rocks. Other assumptions in the volume of Palaeontology would be noticed here, were it 

 not that I propose to resume the subject at a future time. 



This volume, it is hoped, contains matter of a practical kind, in a form which has not 

 been before accessible to the farmers of this country. The analyses, though numerous, 

 have been conducted with as much care as it was possible to bestow ; and I may state that 

 all the weighmgs of products, without exception, have been to the hundredth of a grain. 



