332 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



island, while other portions were lacking in finely divided' parti- 

 cles necessary to form the medium of growth for the spongioles 

 and fine roots of plants. These were so very small that they 

 could not grow among sharp sand; there must be impalpable soil 

 for them to lodge in. This was more important than the parti- 

 cular chemical constitution of the soil. The plant grew mostly 

 from the air gathering in its joabulum through the surface of the 

 leaves, and a free circulation of sap was necessary, that this food 

 might be carried down to the points where needed. Without a 

 full supply of fine roots this could not be had, and clay, which 

 is an impalpable earth, was the very best manure for a sandy soil. 

 The coast lands of Long Island were of superior quality for 

 farming in many cases, but had lost their reputation, especially 

 upon the south side, from the habits of the occupants, who would 

 at any time pass by the proper seed time, or leave a growing crop 

 uncultivated, if fishing chanced to be good, as the latter pursuit 

 was often more profitable. 



Dr. Bartlett produced a remarkably fine specimen of oats in the 

 ear, with straw of a thickness which could only have been pro- 

 duced on a fertile soil. It was grown on his farm on Long Island. 

 He defended the central part of the island from the unjust asper- 

 sions usually cast upon it by those who are ignorant of its value. 

 The fertility of those scrub or dwarf lands, he said, is not one of 

 theory or opinion, but of fact; as these lands have been in many 

 instances cleared, and with little trouble found to be highly pro- 

 ductive. Mr. Wilson, of Brooklyn, bought a tract of this much 

 abused land for $5 or $10 an acre, and in two years he has made 

 it worth from |50 to $100 an acre. His first crop was rye, which 

 yielded thirty bushels to the acre. This year his clover, potatoes,' 

 &c., are luxuriant beyond description. If any one doubts the 

 fertility of this scrub-oak land of Long Island, let him visit Mr. 

 W.'s farm at the present season. 



Judge Meigs corroborated what had been said in favor of the 

 land of Long Island. He said a committee of the Club examined 

 it seven years ago, and found in many parts, at least two feet 

 deep of workable soil. 



THE LAWTON BLACKBERRY. 



Mr. Field said he had been experimenting with the common 

 Ijramble, to see whether the improvements effected in the black- 

 berry by Secore, and carried into extensive operation by Lawton, 

 were the result of change in the soil and cultivation, or whether 



