THE PLAINS OF LONG ISLAND. 



[From the Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society, 1859.] 



The subject of the waste lands of Long Island has, for several years, 

 engaged my earnest attention. Curiosity first induced me to visit the 

 region, that I might examine with my own eyes, a territory which seemed 

 to be consigned by public sentiment to desolation, and to be regarded as 

 valueless for the purposes of husbandry. I was unable to perceive any 

 sufficient reason why even a barren desert of sands, so contiguous to the 

 best n-arket on the continent, could not be profitably cultivated. I waa 

 naturally forced to contrast such an aspect in our own country, with the 

 efforts of Flemish industry, which could wrest from the dominion of the 

 ocean a naked sand beach, and convert it into the garden of Europe. The 

 parallel was not grateful to my national pride. More than one careful 

 examination of this district, in reference to its geological structure, agri- 

 cultural capabilities, and local advantages, have confirmed the original 

 impression, that no natural impediments exist, to the successful culture of 

 these plains. A strange and inscrutable popular delusion seems to prevail 

 very generally on this subject. Hereditary opinions seem to have taken 

 singular possession of the public mind. These opinions have been probably 

 adopted and been cherished without reflection, and without examination of 

 facts, which are everywhere disclosed on the island. Historians of Long 

 Island have assumed the same conclusions, and in asserting and difi"using 

 them, have exerted a most injurious influence upon private interests and 

 general progress. So decided have been these views, that until recent 

 intelligent investigation had changed the policy, portions of these lands 

 were deemed so utterly worthless, as not to be considered worthy of being 

 placed on the grand list. 



I might distrust the propriety of a stranger meddling with this local 

 question, were it not that my views have been so fully sustained and forti- 

 fied by the decided, opinions of General Dix, expressed in his recent 

 admirable address before the State Society. I have no possible interest 

 in these lands, and can therefore speak with more freedom and impartiality. 

 The facts and results upon which are based my convictions, I have collected 

 with great care and vigilence, as well by personal investigations as from 

 conversations with intelligent gentlemen, who are familiar with the subject. 

 Among the numerous persons to whom I am under obligations, I may 

 particularly refer to the Rev. E. M. Johnson, of Brooklyn, whose clear 

 memory, in a green and vigorous age, enables him to trace the progress of 



