364 Report on a re-examination of the 



Talcose slate soil; 9. Gneiss soil, common, do. ferruginous; 10. 

 Granite soil; 11. Sienite soil; 12. Porphyry soil; 13. Green- 

 stone soil. 



The principal deposites of the 2d variety of soil occur in the 

 valley of the Connecticut river, and in the counties of Plymouth, 

 Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket. " The surface on these 

 places is usually covered with a white or yellowish silicious 

 sand, which forms one variety of these soils. Where the sand is 

 washed awaj^, a deposite of clay is exposed, white, or whitish 

 in the southeastern part of the state, but bluish on Connecticut 

 river. This is the other variety of tertiary soils. Either of them 

 in a pure state, is exceedingly barren ; but duly mixed, they form 

 a very productive soil." (p. 10.) 



The limestone soil is confined to the county of Berkshire. It 

 is thus denominated because it contains more of the salts of lime 

 than any of the other soils of the state, although the calcareous 

 earth even in the limestone soil, is by no means abundant, it hav- 

 ing, in the opinion of Prof. H., been partially withdrawn by cul- 

 tivation. 



The specimens of soil for analysis were taken in nearly every 

 instance from cultivated ploughed fields, and when practicable, 

 from land which had been long enough under cultivation to cause 

 the decay of all coarse vegetable fibres. Care was observed to 

 avoid on the one hand, rich soil situated near to houses, and on 

 the other, worn out and neglected fields. The samples were 

 obtained at a depth of three or four inches below the surface ; 

 and in the selection, roots, undecayed manure, and large pebbles 

 were rejected. After having been previously spread for several 

 days upon boards, during the dry days of October, they were 

 transferred to tin canisters. A portion of each specimen was 

 withdrawn for analysis, and the remainder was enclosed in a 

 glass bottle, which is intended for preservation in the State col- 

 lection. One hundred and twenty such bottles were collected, 

 besides fifty others, containing marls, clays, muck-sand, marsh- 

 mud, ochres, &c. 



In proceeding to the analysis of these numerous specimens, 

 Prof H. remarks, that the objects were, ' first, to ascertain the na- 

 ture and amount of the earths that form the basis of the soils. 

 Secondly, the nature and amount of the salts that act as stim- 

 ulants to vegetation ; and thirdly, to determine the amount and 



