SOUTHERN DISTRICT. 313 



Limestone, marl and peat, and means fou supplying manures. 



The Southern district is deficient in limestone. The only calcareous rock which extends 

 south of the Wlieat district proper, is the Tully limestone : it lies between the Hamilton 

 group and tlie Genesee slate. It appears about two miles northwest of Dcruyter village, 

 at Tinker's falls, Tully four-corners, and at Otisco, where it caps Ross's hill. The shales 

 above and below are fragile, but wanting in calcareous matter ; yet they are useful to a 

 certain extent in renovating the soil, when conveniently situated. 



The Tully limestone appears also on the east side of Skaneateles lake, where it is only 

 about fourteen feet thick ; hence its influence on the soil, even along its outcrop, must be 

 inconsiderable. It is, however, important as a means of furnishing lime for agricultural 

 purposes. Analyses of the soils from a large part of the Southern district, show, in the 

 most satisfactory manner, a want of this material, and experience proves its great utility. 



South of the outcrop of the Tully limestone, the only deposit which can be employed 

 for lime is the lake or freshwater marl. In several parts of this district, marl is quite 

 abundant ; and, in a few instances, it is burnt for lime. Its condition is extremely favo- 

 rable for manufacturing lime. It is shovelled directly from its bed, into a mould of twice 

 the length of a brick. On drying, the marl hardens, and may then be laid up into a kiln 

 and burned. The lime is fine and white, and excellent for many purposes. There is, 

 however, too much indifference on the subject, and hence not a hundredth part of the lime 

 is used which ought to be. The marl ponds occupy many circular basins or depressions 

 in the Hamilton group, and even in the superior formation. Many exist in Preble and 

 Cortland. 



Some of the marl beds are overlaid with peat, but it is less conunon in the Soutliern 

 than in the Wheat district. Of course, where these two formations, marl and peat exist, 

 farmers ought never to complain of the scarcity of the means for improving their soil. 



The difference in the value of peat arises, in a great degree, from a difference in the 

 quantity of soluble silex which it may contain. Some indication of its value may be 

 obtained by a careful inspection of the matters, or of the class of plants, from which it is 

 derived. If stems of the grasses are detected in the moss or peat, it will contain soluble 

 silica, the presence of which fits the peat especiall}^ for a manure adapted to the cultiva- 

 tion of wheat, oats and corn, or the cereals generally. If it is found to consist mainly 

 of moss or swamp sphagnum, less soluble silex may be expected ; still it will be found 

 extremely valuable. * 



Peat should be dug or cut and pressed, if designed for burning. If it is intended for 

 manure, it should be composted while yet moist, and mixed with other matters. The 

 silex, by this course, is maintained in a soluble state. 



It is proper that the agriculturist should know, that by silex contained in peat, we do 

 not mean sand, or dirt, which may be mixed with it. The silex which is spoken of 

 here, is that which has been received into the composition of stems of grasses, and it 

 remains in a soluble condition so long as it is moist. When thoroughly dried, and cspc- 



I Agricultural Rcport. | 40 



