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question naturally arises, why so extraordinary a state of things exist, 

 and whether there is any fiat of nature that irrevocably condemns this vast 

 tract to perpetual desolation and uselessness. Everything associated with 

 the physical qualities of this beautiful island seems peculiar and striking, 

 and unlike the characteristics of any other region. The existence of this 

 uncultivated wilderness, is not the least singular and impressive of these 

 phenomena. It is perhaps unnecessary to attempt an explanation of this 

 strange circumstance. I may, however, offer one brief suggestion. At the 

 first occupation of the island the settlers naturally clustered about the 

 harbors and bays on the coast. Public roads, in consequence, were con- 

 structed along or near the north and south shore. None penetrated this 

 tract. This was inaccessible while other sections of the island presented 

 greater attractions and were easily accessible. The inhabitants became 

 attached to the delightful regions they cultivated. In the meanwhile fires 

 desolated the plains, because they were not protected, as it appears the 

 occupied' portions of the island were, by statutory regulations, from this 

 danger. They were disregarded and neglected. Under these circumstan- 

 ces the opinion was gradually formed, that they were not adapted for culti- 

 vation. This idea was adopted without investigation, was strengthened by 

 years, descended from father to son, until it has become incorporated in the 

 popular mind as an established and incontrovertible fact. 



It is my design to briefly examine the accuracy and justice of these 

 opinions and to exhibit a series of facts which will tend, I think, to illus- 

 trate the subject. 



The Soil. — No term applied to land was ever more erroneously used 

 than the designation of the plains of Long Island as " Sand barrens." 

 Neither term is either true or appropriate. A traveler passing along the 

 line of the Long Island railroad will be deceived as to the character of the 

 soil. The under stratum of coarse gravel has necessarily been cast up in 

 the construction of the road, and this the casual observer will naturally 

 suppose to be the soil of the country. I examined, with much care, various 

 localities on the plains, and found everywhere a remarkable identity in 

 the structure and qualities of the earth and a great similarity to that which 

 occurs at Flatbush and Brooklyn. There prevails the same superficial 

 loam, from one to three feet deep, then succeeds small gravel mingled with 

 the loam, which rests upon the uniform foundation of coarse and rounded 

 gravel. Clay is everywhere, on the plains, the predominant ingredient of 

 the soil. I collected specimens in various spots, and for convenience 

 moulded them into balls. When these had become hard, I could not sepa- 

 rate the particles with my fingers, but was obliged to use a hammer for the 

 purpose. The balls had acquired the consistency of a brick. I was 

 shown by Doctor Peck, houses at North Islip, which had been constructed 

 of sun dried brick, made from the soil in the immediate vicinity. The 

 holes from which the earth had been taken for the purposes were pointed 

 out to me. The excavations were on the loam or surface soil. 



Mr. Harold informed me that walls were erected from the clayey soil of 



