244 ANALYSES OF SOILS. 



This range of country is the most broken of any in the county. In the vallies the land 

 is valuable, but tlie soil is too cold without draining. The Sparry limestone traverses this 

 range north and south, but tlie eflcct on the soil is too small to be appreciated : the slate 

 predominates. Besides, the productiveness is diminished by height, as well as a coarse soil. 

 Peat and lime, which are abimdant through the whole range, may be considered impor- 

 tant means for ameliorating the soil. 



A remarkable substance was brought to us from Columbia county, for examination, in 

 the fall of 1845. It was supposed to be a valuable material, and the finder made a secret 

 of its locality. It was, however, nothing more than vegetable matter in a fine state of 

 division, and, as we found on examination, mixed with a little silex and alumina. It was 

 a thick pulpy mass, some of which, as we were assured, had been thrown out of the bog 

 upon a dr}- soil, and had remained wet the whole season ; and about half a pint remained 

 two months in an open tin cup, in a warm dry atmosphere, before it became dry, at which 

 time it had sinunk to the size of a butternut. We notice this substance, for the purpose of 

 calling attention to the fact, that some materials, combined in certain proportions, are 

 more absorbent and retentive of moisture than others. In this substance water existed in 

 great excess. On analysis, it gave 



Water 89-75 



Vegetable matter 3-45 



Silex 3-55 



Alumina 3-20 



The silex was principally composed of the cases of infusorials. 



Soil of Hoosic-corners. 

 Rests on fine slate ; associated with ranges of limestone. 



ANALYSIS. 



Water 4-25 



Organic matter 12*69 



Silex 69-78 



Carbonate of lime 1-76 



Magnesia 1-30 



Phosphate of alumina 1-15 



Peroxide of iron 5-55 



Alumina 3-42 



99-90* 



' The notes relating to this remarkably ricli soil were lost, or tlie facts forgotten. It is, however, well l^nown that 

 the soil of Hoosic is excellent. This was probably a new and uncultivated soil. 



