8 



from the ridge towards the ocean, by a declination so gradual as to be 

 imperceptible. Scarcely a bush or tree interrupts the view. Nature 

 formed it a broad, upland meadow. Its appearance recalls at once the 

 memory of a Western prairie, and the herds of cattle ranging over it, 

 which fancy may readily conceive to be the Buffalo, do not lessen the 

 similitude. These plains are, however, destitute of one embellishment, 

 which communicates to the prairie such exceeding loveliness. The bril- 

 liant flowers which at the west spread a gorgeous garniture over the earth 

 and adds so much to the beauty of the scene, is wanting here. This cir- 

 cumstance is probably owing to the severe and continuous cropping for ages 

 of the Hempstead Plains. These plains existed at the first settlement of 

 the Island. They attracted the attention and excited the admiration of 

 the emigrant. Travelers visited them at an early day, and referred to 

 them as among the wonders revealed in the new world. The prairies of 

 the "West were then unknown to civilized man. By what agency these 

 plains were produced, with their peculiar features, whether by man or acci- 

 dent, or the caprices of nature, was then, as at this day, a problem that 

 cannot satisfactorily be determined. Some impute them to peculiarities of 

 soil ; others to different natural causes, and another class, with a more 

 practical view, refer their existence to fires, continued for ages by the 

 Aborigines, with the purpose of securing early grazing for the deer which 

 thronged the Island. When the causes which created the prairies of Illi- 

 nois, are revealed, we may look for a solution of this question. All the 

 knowledge we can now attain is, that the grass plain exists — a phenomenon 

 of nature and a miracle of beauty. 



These plains are mantled by a rich and heavy growth of grass, which 

 affords pasturage for large numbers of cattle. They were appropriated, 

 and with great convenience and utility, by the settlers at a remote period, 

 for this purpose, and the practice is still continued. They also afforded a 

 valuable resort for procuring hay. Denton, in his account of New York, 

 thus describes them in 1670 : " Toward the middle of Long Island lyeth 

 a plain, sixteen miles long and four broad, upon which plain grows very 

 fine grass, that makes excellent good hay, and is very good pasture for 

 sheep and other cattle ; where you shall find neither stick nor stone to 

 hinder the horses' heels or endanger them in their races." 



Mr. Harold, in a valuable paper he kindly prepared for my use, states 

 that " grass formerly grew on these plains five and six feet high, and is now 

 occasionally found on neglected headlands higher than a four rail fence. 

 The earliest grass (Secretary grass), a short and very fine grass, is much 

 relished by sheep and cattle." The nutritious properties of the herbage 

 growing upon the plains is apparent from the appearance and condition of 

 the cattle which roam upon them. 



The turf which covers these plains, by its toughness and tenacity, as- 

 similates to the sward of the western prairies. Two yokes of cattle, or a 

 team of three horses are required to break it up. An immense quantity 

 of vegetable matter, convertible into rich manure must be contained in a 

 turf possessing a volume like this. 



