10 



GEOLOGICAL REPORT. 



Analyses of Soil from the Bluffs of Boone County ', 



BY DR. LITTON. 



This soil covers several thousand square miles in the coun- 

 ties comprised in this survey. It is the very best soil for wheat, 

 and rye, in the State. It is well adapted to corn, tobacco, oats, 

 and grasses ; and is very much improved by deep cultivation, 

 as the above analyses show the richest portions to be ten or 

 twelve inches below the surface. The vineyards of Booiiville, 

 Hermann, and Hamburg, are on soils similar to this ; and it pro- 

 duces most excellent wild grapes. 



But the soils derived from the magnesian limestone series, 

 cover the largest portion of this region. The sand, lime, mag- 

 nesia and alumina, derived from the decomposition of these 

 rocks, together with the abundance of vegetable matter from 

 the decfay of the rank vegetation, and the alkalies from the 

 fires which annually overrun this country, combine to form a 

 soil light) dry, warm, and rich in potash, soda, lime, magnesia, 

 and all the other ingredients needed to render it fertile and 



* No. 12 A was collected from 2 to 6 inches below the surface ; No. 12 B, 

 from 10 to 12, and No. 12 C, from 18 to 20 inches below the surface, on a high 

 ridge covered with white, post and black oak, white hickory, dwarf sumac, 

 hazle and summer grapes. 



