114 RURAL NEW YORK 



sibilities. For le^mes, practically all the soils need 

 lime. Lime is beneficial to many oilier crops. On 

 these soils the chief objection to its larger use is the 

 possibility of favoring the disease known as scab on 

 potatoes. Shore swamps and the limited areas of 

 heavy soil need drainage. Humus is generally de- 

 ficient in the soils. Because of the physical nature 

 of the soil, and its poor relation to moisture for crop 

 growth, and also because of its proximity to so large 

 a population, irrigating with sewage should be con- 

 sidered wherever conditions are favorable. 



SPECIAL SOILS 



The stream bottoms and the marsh and swamp 

 lands of the State constitute a division of land that 

 is essentially distinct because the character of the 

 soils is much alike through the different areas. 



Along nearly every stream, small or large, is the 

 ribbon of first bottom alluvial soil, traversed by the 

 stream either in a meandering sluggish channel or 

 with a direct rush. The width and quality of the 

 bottom land is generally proportional to the former 

 condition — sluggishness. This means frequent 

 overflow as a result of which the sediment is de- 

 posited. The nature of these bottom lands is much 

 afFected by the character of the adjacent lands from 

 which the wash is derived. However, this quality is 

 considerably masked by the mixing of the material, 

 together with the large and deep incorporation of 

 organic matter. Usually, the presence of organic 

 matter is evident to the depth of three feet or more. 



