HUDSON AND MOHAWK AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT. 7 



approximating to that of the shales of the Hudson and Mohawk valleys. When, however, 

 we take in the eastern formations towards the base of the Hoosic mountain range, with 

 the \ alleys of the Hoosic and Housatonic, we find a soil and surface sufficiently distinct to 

 merit the division I have proposed. The widest difference is then to the east ; while at 

 the west, the two districts are merged into each other. 



Plate V. gives a panoramic view of the hills of this district, as seen from the Helderberg 

 range on the west. The fore-ground is occupied by the limestones of this range; the 

 middle, by the Hudson river slates and shales, and the back-ground by the long range of 

 slate hills belonging to the Taconic system. The valley of the Hudson lies in the middle 

 ground, and is bounded by those slates. 



III. The Third district comprises the valleys of the Hudson and Mohawk. It is less 

 regular in its shape than the other districts, and besides is not confined wholly to that 

 territory which is usually considered as belonging to these valleys. Thus, at the com- 

 mencement of the Southern highlands, it diverges from the river to the southwest, and 

 passes through Orange county into the State of New-Jersey. Towards the northwest, it 

 passes beyond the valley of the Mohawk into Jefferson county, by the route of the Black 

 river. 



In its characters it is closely related to the preceding. Its slaty or shaly rocks, and sand- 

 stone and limestone beds, furnish, when mixed, a soil much like that of the Eastern district. 

 There is, however, as already remarked, more alluvial matter, broader meadows, and a 

 less undulating surface. Beneath the bottoms of the Hudson and Mohawk, there reposes 

 a stiff calcareous clay ; and departing a little from these rivers, and ascending their sloping 

 banks, we find sandy plains, which, however, are underlaid with the same stiff clay, a 

 marine deposit of a modern date. No part of this district rises into mountains. Steep 

 bluffs are common, but rarely exceed three hundred feet in. height. As an agricultural 

 district, it is important ; but it has been longer cultivated, and hence is more exhausted 

 than either of the districts which have been named. 



The valley of the Mohawk at Amsterdam is pictorially illustrated in Plate II. The steep 

 furrowed banks of clay with a scanty vegetation, are seen upon the left ; the islands in 

 the Mohawk covered densely with willows, and the partially wooded hills, form the back 

 ground. In the foreground, the peculiar appearance of the elm so common on the banks 

 of the Hudson and Mohawk, is well represented, giving to the landscape a striking 

 feature. Flats and shallows are constantly recurring in the Mohawk, sometimes forming 

 ripples which are always covered w T ith water ; at other times, low islands, which support 

 only willows and alders, but occasionally are sufficiently elevated to form fertile and 

 beautiful meadows, adapted either to grass, maize or broomcorn. 



