FROM THE TACONIC DISTRICT. 335 



well to examine the peats by chemical tests. If these peals are burned, they are less 

 valuable as manures : there is a loss of organic matter, and the silica becomes insoluble in 

 consequence of its having been ignited. 



Analysis of a slaty limestone intercalated loith the laconic slate. 



From the farm of Mr. E. Ball. 



Silex 11-50 



Peroxide of iron and alumina 6*36 



Carbonate of lime 82-14 



100-00 



Analysis of a hard blue limestone from Hoosic {Sparry limestone) . 



Silex 7-40 



Alumina and iron 1-60 



Carbonate of lime 91-00 



100-00 



These limestones are sufficiently pure for agricultural uses. Their examination was 

 undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining whether they were magnesian, and suitable for 

 hydraulic lime ; but neither of them contain any magnesia. 



From the foregoing examples of analysis of the soils of the Taconic district, taken in 

 connection with those previously given (page 243-249), we may learn the general 

 composition of its soils. The later analyses were of soils which have been for many years 

 under cultivation. In these examples, it will be observed that magnesia is diminished ; 

 inasmuch as in all instances where we have analyzed uncultivated soils, it exists in much 

 greater quantity. These soils have been subjected to rigorous treatment, in consequence of 

 the kind of crops which have been taken from them, particularly in being planted with 

 indian corn or maize, which, as is well known, consumes a large proportion of the phos- 

 phate of magnesia. These lands, as analysis has abundantly shown, are well fitted to this 

 crop ; inasmuch as in every analysis where the phosphates have been sought for, they have 

 been found. The same opinion would be formed, too, by an inspection of the crop itself 

 in autumn, when the exhibition of the well-formed and well-filled ears shows the inherent 

 adaptedness of the soil to the crop. It is for these reasons that we have laid some stress 

 upon the name we have given to this formation, namely, the Maize district. We must 

 observe, however, that this is not the only region which produces maize of a superior 

 excellence in consequence of the composition of its soil. Rly earliest examinations of the 

 soils of the different districts led me to adopt the opinion that the Taconic district was, as 

 a whole, the best adapted to the growth of maize ; but I have since foimd a soil in Western 

 New- York, at a certain height above the Wheat region, which is quite as well adapted to 

 the growth of this grain, having about the same proportion of phosphates as the soils of 

 the Taconic district. I shall speak of this region in its proper i)lace. 



