WESTERN DISTRICT. 281 



A soil taken from the forest near the Green lakes in Manlius, gave, on analysis, 



Water 4-00 



Organic matter 6*25 



Silex or silicates 77-00 



Peroxide of iron and alumina - 9-74 



Carbonate of lime 3-00 



Magnesia 0-50 



100-49 



In this analysis, I obtained a greater percentage of carbonate of lime than usual ; and it 

 appears highly probable, from this analysis, and from the circumstances of the case, that a 

 part of the sulphate of lime of the green shales may be converted into a carbonate in the 

 soil, and perhaps a part is carried away in solution. This latter supposition appears quite 

 probable in this case, as the water of the Green lakes, which receive the wash of the sur- 

 rounding hills, contains much gypsum in solution. 



A soil taken from the flats near Manlius centre, and which has been long under culti- 

 vation, gave 



Water of absorption 4-00 



Organic matter 8-50 



Silex 79-54 



Peroxide of iron and alumina 6-49 



Carbonate of lime 1-41 



Carbonate of magnesia trace. 



99-94 



This soil has been long famous for its wheat crops ; and although it does not afford a very 

 large return, yet it lias been cultivated for this grain for twenty-five or thirty years past. 



The most important fact brought out in many of the analyses of the soils of this district, 

 does not indicate deterioration, much less an approach to barrenness. Even intances 

 occur, where the cultivated soil seems to be richer than the new and uncultivated ; and 

 such a view is not very improbable, inasmuch as the soil in many instances is renewed, 

 or rather has new matter from the rock added to it. This takes place only when the soil is 

 ploughed ; for the rock beneath is defended by a coat of earth, and its disintegration is 

 promoted only when its surface is partially exposed by the common operations required in 

 tilling the soil. 



Cayuga county contains large tracts of soil adapted to wheat. Those which are most 

 esteemed, and upon which this crop rarely fails, are clay bottoms, upon which the surface 

 never heaves, or the grain very rarely winter-kills. This property of clay, that of holding 

 the roots when the surface is frozen, is highly important. 



The following is an analysis of the clay which appears at many points along the shore 

 of Cayuga lake, and which may be regarded as the subsoil of the county. 

 [Agricultural Report. | 36 



