Alluvium. 



5 



I shall not enjoy the advantage of comparison, not having found more 

 than one or two observations of a similar kind, made on the eastern 

 continent. I shall begin with the stratum that lies above every oth- 

 er : — viz. 



Alluvium. 



In this part of my Report, I shall not enter into a systematic and 

 minute description of the various formations represented on the ac- 

 companying map. Such description belongs more appropriately to 

 the scientific part. I shall here describe the different strata only so 

 far as is necessary to the particular purpose I have in view. 



Alluvium is, for the most part, that fine loamy deposit, which is year- 

 ly forming from the sediment of running waters, chiefly by the inunda- 

 tions of rivers. It is made up, of course, of the finest and richest por- 

 tions of every soil over which the waters have passed. Hence alluvial 

 meadows have always been celebrated for their fertility. No extensive 

 alluvial tracts occur in Massachusetts ; although limited patches of this 

 stratum exist not unfrequently along the banks of every stream, and 

 with the adjoining elevated ground covered by wood and pasture con- 

 stitute not a few of the most productive farms in the State. Even 

 where Deer field river winds its way among the lofty and precipitous 

 spurs of Hoosac mountain, which crowd so close upon the path as 

 almost to throw it into the shade at noon-day, the traveller is some- 

 times agreeably surprised to see a luxuriant meadow open before him, 

 rewarding the labors of some thrifty farmer. No alluvial tracts, 

 however, have been thought of sufficient extent to deserve a place on 

 the map, except one or two salt marshes a little northeast of Boston, 

 and several meadows along the Connecticut, Deerfield, and Housa- 

 tonic. Those of Longmeadow, Springfield, Northampton, Hadley, 

 Hatfield, Deerfield, and Northfield, have long been celebrated for their 

 unrivalled exuberance and beauty. Those in Great Barrington, Stock- 

 bridge, and Sheffield, are scarcely less inviting. 



There is one variety of alluvial soil in this State, that deserves 

 more attention from our agriculturalists. I refer to those numerous 

 uncultivated swamps, which have for ages been the reservoirs of rich 

 soil, that has been washed thither by rains and brooks. To reclaim 

 them, does, indeed, require not a little labor and expense. But where 

 the effort has been successful, the great and continued exuberance of 

 these spots, has astonished and amply repaid the experimenter. Even 

 in those cases where they cannot be reclaimed, which I believe to be 



