698 [Assembly 



that could thus so soon and so rapidly reproduce vegetable life, must 

 have power and fertility sufficient for cultivation; and then said: 



What makes one part of the Island so fruitful and fertile, and ano- 

 ther so barren and sterile? if it be not cullivation. Why is their 

 seen on one field the most luxuriant growth of " golden grain," the 

 most verdant meadows smiling in the sun, and another, right by side 

 of it, with nothing but a single fence between, nothing but barren- 

 ness, nothing but wild grass, literally " briars and thorns?" How 

 can this difference be explained, if not by culture and tillage? " Oh," 

 says one, " my farm, my lot is a good one, good bottom; my neigh- 

 bor's there, is a poor one, that field next to mine has got no bottom." 

 What an absurdity, who believes for a moment, that this Island is 

 different from all other parts of the earth in its structure — that it u 

 thus laid out under its surface in squares, in mosaic, a good bottom 

 here, and a poor one there? And if so, by what sagacity do these 

 men discover the exact line of demarcation, so as to run the line 

 of their fences precisely where the separation is made, so as to take 

 the good, and leave out the bad? This would be a secret worth 

 knowing. 



Among other things. Dr. P. spoke particularly of the manner in 

 which the Island is watered; being as a general fact so bountifully 

 supplied with the purest and best of water; that from its geological 

 structure, the compact sands, and fine pebbles, forming the main 

 body of the Island, served as the most perfect filter, and that nothing 

 but the pure element itself could get through it; hence the waters of 

 Long Island are unsurpassed, unequalled in any other part of the 

 country; clear, transparent and beautiful streams flowing all over the 

 Island. 



" The streams unfailing in the summer's draught," and rivalling in 

 brilliancy and purity, Milton's " pellucid streams," " Abana and 

 Pharpar, rivers of Damascus." 



Mr. Meigs then offered the following resolution: 



Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be presented to 

 the President and Directors of the Long Island Railroad Company, 

 for their distinguished politeness in affording to the members of the 

 Convention of Farmers, and others, at Greenport, a free passage 

 through Long Island, which was passed unanimously. 



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