324 



Report of the State Geologist. 



have been the dumping-ground upon which the great glacier deposited the 

 most of its load. In the vicinity of Zoar, the borings for gas showed, in two 

 wells, 325 and 379 feet of drift respectively, while the Kelly well passed 

 through 515 feet, which is, within my knowledge, the deepest ascertained 

 thickness of drift in the state. In connection with this i't is interesting to 

 notice that the greatest depth of drift in Wyoming county, 358 feet at Gaines- 

 ville, is found near the top of the Portage group. Along the sides of the 

 streams flowing through these deposits are many thick beds of clay which 

 appear to be of finer quality than the great sheet which overspreads the lower 

 levels. These clays are often laminated, when dry splitting like shale. 

 Examples of these Avere noticed along the west branch of Cazenovia creek 

 above West Falls and on a branch of Cattaraugus creek near Springville. 

 There is also a good exposure back of the Lehigh coal shed at Cheektowaga. 



Stratified sand and gravels occur in several places throughout the county, 

 but in no order which would indicate a general system of deposition. An 

 irregular strip lies about midway between the limestone terrace and Tona- 

 wanda creek nearly all the way from Getzville to Akron. Another extends 

 from Orchard Park to Elma Center and for several miles west and east of 

 these points. Large deposits were also noticed at Chaffee, Brant Center and 

 other places in the southern part of the county. While these affect the 

 character of the soil for agricultural purposes they are of small economic 

 value. The deposits utilized by railroads for ballast are usually pockets of 

 small extent and due to local causes. The Erie gravel pit at Alden will serve 

 as a good type of this class. 



Soil. 



The northern plain has a soil consisting largely of clay loam which 

 is somewhat heavy and holds water. Over large portions, however, and 

 especially along Tonawanda creek, there are considerable areas of deep allu- 

 vial river-bottom which are extremely fertile and furnish good crops. The 

 limestone ridge is well drained, has a larger proportion of gravel mixed with 

 the clay and is better adapted to wheat and other cereals. The middle plain 

 consists mainly of alluvial creek-bottom, well suited to market gardening 

 to which it is chiefly devoted. Along the lake slope south of Buffalo the dis- 

 integrating shale forms, with glacial gravels, a soil well adapted to fruit 

 raising, w hich is further favored by a mild, uniform climate due to the neigh 

 borhood of the lake. 1 ne tops of the hills southward are covered with stiff- 

 clav which produces good grass and supports large dairying interests. In the 



