312 ANALYSES OF SOILS. 



A watery solution gave organic acid in combination with lime, and also a trace of sulphate 

 of lime. This analysis gives as much lime as the best of the soils above the Marcellus 

 shales, except in a few cases, where, from the operation of local causes, the lime is in- 

 creased. Such is the fact in parts of Onondaga and Cortland counties, where a drift soil 

 contains a large percentage of calcareous matter, which seems to be derived from de- 

 composing calcareous shales. 



Soil taken from Fnltonham, Schoharie county, from the Hamilton group. 



ANALYSIS. 



Water of absorption 5-00 



Organic matter 4-50 



.Silicates 82-51 



Peroxide of iron and ahimina 8*00 



iOO-01 



Very little lime or magnesia appeared in this soil. A watery solution gave the former in 

 combination with an organic acid. Probably, however, the silicate of lime would be 

 found by the process of fusion with soda or potash. 



The soil of Schoharie flats, which must be a mixture of materials from many rocks, 

 gives a better analysis than any of the preceding. 



Water of absorption 2-00 



Vegetable matter 6-00 



Silicates 83-00 



Peroxide of iron and alumina 6-50 



Carbonate of lime 1-00 



Magnesia -. 0-50 



Phosphate of alumina 0-12 



Sulphate of lime 0-14 



99-26 



The watery solution gave organic matter and sulphate of lime. This is a rich corn land. 

 The soil is dark brown, and is never lumpy after being wet, but dries and becomes readily 

 pulverulent. We have given the analysis in connection, as it forms a contrast with the 

 poorer soils of the upper rocks of the adjacent hills. 



In the preceding analyses, it is assumed that the soils of the rocks above the Hamilton 

 group do not differ essentially ; hence it is not attempted to make a distinction between 

 the former and the latter. The soil of tlie Old Red Sandstone is red, and contains more 

 iron in a state of peroxide : it forms a very excellent (.]uick soil, and is admirably adapted 

 to grazing. 



