Albany County 97 



DESCRIPTION BY TOWNSHIPS 



Beene: The surface is broken, the Helderberg Mountains lying 

 on the eastern border. The lofty ledges of these hills are interest- 

 ing natural features. In the southwest is elevated land, the 

 highest elevations lying 2,000 feet above tide. The principal 

 stream is the Switzkill. Warner Lake and a portion of Thomp- 

 son's Lake are located in the northeastern part of the town. This 

 town contains some of the best land in the county. There is 

 considerable limestone soil, also a sandy, gravelly loam interspersed 

 with clay. 



Many of the best farms of the county lie within this township. 

 Owing to its distance from the railroad these farms can now be 

 purchased for less than the value of the buildings. More alfalfa 

 is grown in the township than in any other portion of the county. 

 Because of this fact and the large amount of cheap land available 

 for pasturage, Berne is particularly suited to the live stock 

 industry. 



Products : General farm crops. 



Average values of farm land range from $5 to $50 an acre. 



Bethlehem: The surface is a rolling upland with bluffs 100 

 feet to 150 feet in height rising above the fertile alluvial flats 

 on the river. Near the center are a few sandy ridges and rocky- 

 knolls. The principal streams are Normans Kill and Coeymans 

 Creek- The soil varies from a light blow sand to the stiff 

 Vergennes clay, most of the soil types being represented. The 

 most valuable and productive types are the silt and clay loams in 

 the immediate vicinity of Albany. Sandy loam is the most exten- 

 sive soil type and on this the garden crops are most largely grown. 

 The heavy clay bordering the banks of the streams is well adapted 

 to the growth of alfalfa and blue grass. Sandy clay loam is 

 another extensive soil type in the southern part of the town and 

 forms the best general farming land in the township. 



Products: Vegetables, fruit, melons, and general farm 



products. 

 Average values of farm land range from $50 to $500 an 



acre. 



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