298 ANALYSES OF SOILS. 



Two hundred grains, being boiled in a large (luantity of piuc rain water, gave o( 



Soluble matter I'olO 



Matter rendered insoluble by ignition 0*118 



Soluble silica 0-020 



Carbonate of lime 0'466 



Alumina tinged with iron. 0'232 



Magnesia 0-020 



Chlorides not determined. 



A clay, which belongs strjctly to the marls, and which is found extensively in Niagara 

 rouiity, has the following composition : 



ANALYSIS OF ONE HUNDRED GRAINS. 



Water and organic matter. 3-24 



Silicates 58-20 



Peroxide of iron and alumina _ 20-76 



Carbonate of lime 14-62 



Potash 0-44 



Soda and magnesia 2-42 



99-72 ., ■ 



Soluble silica 0-69 



Quantity of phosphates in 100 grains inappreciable. 



This marl is the product of a soft portion of the Medina sandstone. It appears to be a 

 rich material. It is of an ash gray color, not very tenacious, and hence is adapted to clay 

 as well as sandy lauds. It may be looked for near the outcrop of the softer portions of the 

 Medina sandstone. It can not fail of effecting a decided amelioration of all light soils, 

 deficient in lime, alumina, and the alkalies. 



Waters of the wheat district. 



The slates and shales which cover so large a portion of the Wheat district, contain 

 much soluble matter ; for this reason, the water contains also an unusual quantity of salts 

 of various kinds. In some of the formations, the chlorides are far the rnost abundant ; in 

 others, the sulphates. 



Limited sections of the district are deficient in surface water, in consequence of the open 

 state of the natural joints of the rocks beneath ; hut as a whole, the district is well supplied 

 with water : it is, however, always hard, when olilained from springs or wells. The 

 rivers which rise in tlie sandstone districts furnish soft water, or water comparatively soft. 

 As an example of I lie hard waters of the district, I may refer to that furnished by the 

 Hydrant Company of Syracuse. Tiiis water contains 40 grains of saline matter to the 

 gallon, onsisting of the sulphate of lime, alumina, and the chlorides of lime, magnesium 

 and sodium. It is clear and transparent, but is disliked as a beverage by strangers. 



The well waters contain generally from ten to thirty grains of saline matter. The well 



