FROM THE WESTERN DISTRICT. 341 



to be destitute of phosphates, but the whole series contain a notable quantity of organic 

 matter ; and, hence, by the constant decomposition, they furnish a fresh quantity of food 

 for plants. 



We are now prepared to give additional results in regard to the class of soils holding a 

 position above the wheat soil. This class belongs to the same formation as that which 

 composes a large portion of the Southern district. In one respect, the soils of this class 

 resemble those of Rensselaer and Washington counties, or in general those of the Second 

 district. The phosphates are invariably present, and the lands are superior for indian corn. 



Surface soil from the farm of Mr. JV. Salisbury, of Scott, Cortland county. 

 The growth of timber is thrifty, consisting of beech, maple, ash, bass, oak, walnut and 

 chestnut : hemlock grows upon the colder sides of the hills. The rock beneath belongs to 

 the Ithaca group. The farm is situated on a slope of 3°, and the soil has been under 

 cultivation twenty-seven years ; five years in meadow, and the remainder of the time under 

 the plough. In 1845, maize, which was manured in the hill, yielded seventy bushels per 

 acre, of the large 12-rowed ears. The seed was soaked in a solution of sulphate of iron ; 

 and before the plant appeared above ground, a mixture of four bushels of ashes, three of 

 lime, and two and a half of salt, were sowed over the field. This soil formerly bore good 

 wheat, but latterly this grain is liable to shrink, although the practice of sowing with lime 

 increases the value of the crop. 



ANALYSE. 



100 grains, dried thoroughly, lost 3 -SO grs. 



First process. Second process. 



Organic matter 16-28 0-00 



Silica and silicates 75-92 73-52 



Peroxide of iron and alumina 5-96 0-00 



The same combined 0-00 2-35 



Carbonate of lime 0-22 0-00 



The same combined .._ 0-00 0-27 



Magnesia 0-18 0-00 



Soluble silica 0-50 0-00 



Phosphate of the peroxide of iron and alumina 0-50 0-00 



99-56 75-94 



It should have been observed, that in some of the soils which have been analyzed, the 

 water appears in excess. They were collected about one month prior to their examination. 

 They were put up in papers, and packed and sent in boxes, and hence could not be con- 

 sidered as wet, inasmuch as the papers were entire and sound. Their feel was dry ; and 

 as the water was not imbibed by the wrappers so much as to break them, they could not 

 contain a quantity much exceeding the ordinary water of absorption. 



