SOILS OF NEW YORK 99 



The predominence of different kinds of rock give 

 rise to several series of glacial soil. The most ex- 

 tensive of these is the Ontario which prevails all 

 through the western plains region and eastward be- 

 yond Utica. The Medina shales and sandstones, 

 the Salina and part of the Hamilton shales have en- 

 tered most largely into the formation of this series, 

 together with rather large quantities of limestone 

 from the outcrops of the region. 



The lime content is fairly ample, as might be ex- 

 pected from its association with limestone forma- 

 tions. The deeper subsoil is always heavily charged 

 with limestone fragments but in the surface two-to- 

 four-feet this is not so abundant, and that part of 

 the section will seldom show the presence of free lime 

 carbonates. However, it is sufficiently well supplied 

 so that acid sensitive crops such as clover grow 

 very well. On this series the production of alfalfa 

 is most largely developed. The fruit industry of 

 western New York is largely associated with this 

 series of soils, and it is one of the best for mixed 

 farming. Cabbage and beans are largely grown on 

 the same soils. Teasel and hops are special crops 

 developed at Auburn and south of Utica respectively. 

 This same soil covers much of the best live-stock pro- 

 ducing sections of the State including the region to 

 the south of Syracuse and extending east and west 

 for many miles. 



The widest development of the series is through 

 the upper part of the Finger Lakes region, and thence 

 northward to Lake Ontario. It spreads well south- 



