GEOLOGY OF THE REMSEN QUADRANGLE 



47 



well fertilized. In every case, over this region however, where the 

 clay beds are at or near the surface more fertile spots are to be found. 

 The potato crop seems to be best adapted to these sandy soils. 

 In the region to the north and east of Forestport and of Grant 

 many deserted farms may be seen. Formerly the people who 

 lived in these districts were mostly engaged in the timber business, 

 but since the removal of the timber the soils alone have often been 

 too poor to support the families. 



The northwestern Precambric highlands are not so heavily drift 

 covered; deep soils are scarce; and the region is mostly wooded. 

 Where occasional patches of soil can be found they are generally 

 fairly productive. 



Building stone 



The coarse crystalline limestones of the uppermost Trenton 

 afford the best building stone in the district. This rock occurs 

 in thick beds separated by thin shale partings and hence is easy to 

 quarry. A number of large quarries have been opened along West 

 Canada creek between Prospect and the railroad bridge. Quarries 

 near Prospect are now in operation for the production of building 

 stone. This limestone has also been burnt for lime. The same 

 rock has been quarried along the fold-fault line between Trenton 

 and Holland Patent ; north of Steuben Valley and along the creek 

 south of Remsen. The extent of the limestone as a surface rock is 

 given above. 



The Lowville limestone outcropping along Black river at the 

 extreme northwest is not worked but it would make an excellent 

 building stone. 



Because of the expense involved in quarrying and cutting the 

 Precambric rocks have been very little used for building purposes. 

 The railroad company has quarried the stone at Meekerville and 

 at the point where the railroad crosses Big Woodhull creek, for local 

 use in the bridge abutments. 



Road material 



An unlimited supply of excellent road material is to be found 

 over the whole Precambric area. Most of these rocks would be 

 very suitable although the pure syenite because of its hardness and 

 resistance to wear is best. The expense in quarrying and the 

 general lack of interest in good roads has prevented its usage to 

 any extent. 



A rock which is more easily available and better adapted to the 

 usual kind of road work is the coarse limestone at the top of the 



