544 [Assembly 



SANDY LANDS. 

 The Secretary said that the celebrated horticulturist of Bel- 

 gium, Van Houtte, was patronized by the government some few 

 years ago, and was offered the choice of certain lands. He select- 

 ed some acres of a desert of blowing sand which had never been 

 cultivated, at least not for ages. He had decided on making soils 

 to suit himself; and as there were no ready-made soils that came 

 up to the standard, he chose to begin with the sand. In a very 

 few years, by adding all the elements required by his immense 

 variety of plants, he has made the best garden in the w^orld per- 

 haps. 



The sandy lands of New Jersey are now discovered to be worth 

 something In many locations the green sand marl has been dis- 

 covered under the surface, and otherwise. By adding which, 

 together with all other wanted ingredients, those blowing sands 

 have already begun to blow in a better sense, honorable to the 

 knowledge of man, i. e., to bloom with precious crops. ' 



Long Island is in the same stage of existence. After her peo- 

 ple had looked on her sands for 200 years, without thinking that 

 it was in human sagacity or work to alter and amend them, she 

 now receives Van Houtte folks, who do know how to alter and 

 mend them ; and those who are here 25 years hence will stare at 

 Long Island. Sandy farms made into good loam, and worth $100 

 an acre or more. The same lands which, seven years ago, could 

 not be sold for three dollars an acre, and hardly given away. 



The Chairman, Judge Livingston, called for question for next 

 meeting. 



" Agricultural Implements" as ordered. 



The Club adjourned to Tuesday, 27th March, at noon. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



