6 V ASTERN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT. 



II. The • Ac.Kini.TiRAi. nisTRicT is hounded by the Stall's of Connecticut, 



■ ..■in. and extends to the immediate skirts of the Hudson vallej on 

 the west. The eastern boundarj referred to, however, passes through the district, and 

 bounds n only -o far a* N. w York is concerned, li really extends to the fool of the Green 

 mountain range. 



III, - of tins district differ from those of the preceding, where we find hold 

 abrupt mountains rising in peaks, and presenting, on one ride at Least, Bteep or perpendi- 

 cular precipices ; while here the mountains slope moderately, rise in long narrow ridges, 

 nnd present but few inaccessible cliffs. The Bteepest slope is generally too upon the north- 



We find also a contrast in the character of the roil, which is deep, covers the 

 tops • 1 8 les of the In IN, ami gives them a rounded form, which renders them susceptible 

 of cultivation to their tops. The elevation in New-York does uot exceed fourteen or fifteen 

 hundred feet, and bj far the greater proportion of the surface is not much above seven or 

 eight hundred feet. The greatest elevation in Massachusetts is three thousand and five 

 hundred feel above the sea level. 

 Bui the soil and surface of this district diner no less from ihose of the preceding, than 

 Item of rocks. This system, which may be said to spring out, or to be derived 



tely from, primary rocks, partakes necessarily of an intermediate character, 

 bearing something of a primary aspect, but at the same time being cot so far removed 



from the newer sedimentary rocks as to be mistaken for primary. The composition of the 



members of this system, too, is quite remarkable and important. We find magnesia to be 

 a common element ; and we imagine thai we see m their composition the reason why 

 mdi.ui com. one of the best of products, is go much at home upon the soils of the gentle 

 slop. - -stem. At any rate, in no other district is this crop so perfect, so sound and 



rich, as m DutchesB, Columbia, Rensselaer and Washington counties. Comparing this 

 crop in the Eastern district with that of the Western, we unhesitatingly give preference to 

 the former, as being mote thrifty and sounder in the kernel, and better filled out. There 

 is a limn, however, at which maize ceases to ripen in this district For example, along 

 ihe Taconic range between Massachusetts and New-York, at the height of about one 

 thousand feet above tide, it dwindles u> a Bhort slender stalk, and yields but small tapering 



n marked by a line of frost during the cold months, to which it 

 rery frequently descends, forming a distinct icy line of congealed vapor upon the forests, 

 and upon the trees of tin- cultivated fields. 



Tin- Eastern district is a bell extending from the Sound in Westchester county, to the 

 head of Lake Chaniplain at the north extremity ■■(' Washington county. It einbi 



proportion of the four counties above enumerated ; and though narrow and long, it 



baracter and features, as well as productions, through its entire 



This district resembles that of the Hudson and Mohawk, and perhaps both might be 

 included in one. The taconic and black slates form, by their decomposition, a soil closely 



